Community-Partnered Nursing Research Centers (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nursing research institutions and academic centers developing community-based research partnerships. Eligible applicants typically include schools of nursing, university medical centers, and research institutions with strong community engagement capacity. The program supports research networks that bridge academic nursing science with community-based clinical practice. Projects must demonstrate meaningful partnerships with community health systems, primary care settings, or clinical practice environments.
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Program description
The purpose of this initiative is to support the development of innovative research centers to foster nursing-led programs that promote community-partnered research to address persistent health challenges. Center applications developed in response to this RFA should propose strategies to strengthen the research infrastructure by establishing or expanding centralized research resources in School or College of Nursing (SON/CON), developing and enhancing nurse-led interdisciplinary teams, and building expertise in community-partnered research through conducting pilot research that applies NINR’s research lenses. Center strategies should be informed by NINRs mission and should meaningfully engage the community throughout all activities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Form
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel
- Letters of Support from Community Partners
- Resource Sharing Plan
- Protection of Human Subjects documentation
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.361 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$57,577,134
-
$22,922,703
-
$21,569,241
-
$21,520,028
-
$20,637,207
-
$20,579,767
-
$20,359,653
-
$20,254,434
-
$19,085,847
-
$18,080,014
Top States by Funding
- NY 12 awards $77.2M
- NC 7 awards $63.0M
- AK 1 awards $57.6M
- PA 9 awards $50.0M
- CA 5 awards $35.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.361). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $153,520,124 | |
| 2025 | $152,273,865 | |
| 2026 est. | $156,087,739 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Schools of nursing, university research centers, and academic medical institutions with established or developing community partnerships. Your institution must have research infrastructure and nursing expertise.
What types of research does this program fund?
Community-partnered clinical nursing research with optional clinical trial components. Studies should address gaps between academic research and real-world clinical practice.
What is the typical funding level?
P20 grants typically fund $150,000-$300,000 annually for multi-year awards. Exact amounts vary by program year and competition.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. NIH success rates for P20 awards are typically 10-15%. Strong preliminary data and established community partnerships are essential.
When should I apply?
The next deadline is May 7, 2028. Applications open September 17, 2025. Plan 4-6 months of preparation before submission.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build genuine community partnerships early. Letters of commitment from clinical sites matter greatly in peer review.
- Demonstrate how your research will change clinical practice or health outcomes in real settings.
- Include preliminary data showing feasibility of your community-academic model.
- Develop a clear dissemination plan for sharing findings with clinical partners and practitioners.
- Align your research questions with current nursing science priorities and community health needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak community partnerships appear transactional rather than collaborative. Unclear plan for translating research into clinical practice change. Proposing research that duplicates existing funded work without novel contribution.
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