Mission and Purpose

The Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) National Coordinating Center (NCC) is seeking pilot proposals to foster the development of cross-center collaborations around issues important to the health and well-being of older adults, with innovative research in behavioral and social science with a focus on minority aging, Alzheimer’s Disease or Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), and/or health disparities. The RCMAR NCC will fund two one-year pilot grants using innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to behavioral and social science up to $25,000. 

Pilot proposals should include innovative theoretical and methodological approaches and address topics that are key to the RCMAR program, such as, but not limited to: 

• Mentoring 
• Collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions 
• Community based participatory research 
• Innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to inclusive science  

Application Guidelines

Application must include a 3-page description of the project, a clear statement of the research approach, a discussion of how the project will fill current knowledge gaps with, and an explanation of how the project will lead the way toward NIA’s goals around RCMAR and impact as well as future grants. 

This mechanism provides funding to catalyze collaborations for two collaborative pilot, planning or meeting grants supporting interdisciplinary research in cross cutting theme areas per grant cycle. Each award will provide up to $25,000 in total costs. The proposals must include investigators affiliated with at least two different RCMAR Centers. Indirect costs are not allowed.

Applications may seek support to collect or analyze data, convene experts to explore aspects of the theme area in detail, or develop multi- or interdisciplinary conceptual models to motivate further cross-center work. There must be clear evidence that all investigators will contribute meaningfully to the intellectual design and conduct of the research. 

Applicants may propose to use the award over one or two years as justified by the proposed activity. 

Applications must adhere to NIH application formatting rules.