Model Continuums of Care Initiative (MCCI) to Advance Health Equity and End Health Disparities Among Women and Girls in Racial/Ethnic Minority and Other Underserved Communities (U34 Clinical Trials Required) | RFA AA 24 012

FAQs: Model Continuums of Care Initiative (MCCI) Planning Grant (RFA-AA-24-012)

What is the Model Continuums of Care Initiative (MCCI)?

MCCI is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports a planning phase for a larger, multi-institute dissemination and implementation (D and I) science effort. The goal is to design practical, scalable continuum-of-care models that advance health equity and reduce entrenched health disparities among women and girls in racial/ethnic minority and other underserved communities.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to fund planning activities that map out how an integrated continuum-of-care model would operate in real-world settings and how it would be implemented and evaluated using contemporary D and I science methods. The planning work is intended to position projects to move into a future implementation and testing pathway that may include a clinical trial or trial-like evaluation.

What award mechanism does MCCI use?

This opportunity uses a U34 cooperative agreement mechanism. A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial NIH program involvement during the project compared to a standard grant.

What does "Clinical Trials Required" mean for applicants?

"Clinical Trials Required" indicates applicants should be prepared to propose planning activities that align with and can lead into a future clinical trial or trial-like evaluation as part of the initiative's implementation and testing pathway.

Who is the primary population of focus?

The initiative focuses on racial and ethnic minority women and girls of reproductive age, especially those facing the greatest barriers to high-quality care in low-resource environments. The priority age range highlighted is 15 to 44.

Why does the NOFO emphasize ages 15 to 44?

The NOFO places strong emphasis on the early reproductive years because this is often when clusters of chronic and behavioral health conditions begin and accelerate, shaping long-term health trajectories.

What health conditions and topics does MCCI prioritize?

The NOFO highlights multi-morbidity and overlapping challenges affecting women and girls, including mental health disorders, substance use disorders, chronic stress, cardiopulmonary diseases, common metabolic disorders such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.

What is meant by a "continuum-of-care" approach in this opportunity?

A continuum-of-care approach connects prevention, primary care, behavioral health, integrative care, and relevant specialty care rather than addressing conditions in disconnected silos. The intent is coordinated, high-quality care across multiple health domains.

What kinds of care settings or services are expected to be connected?

The NOFO describes connecting prevention, primary care, behavioral health, integrative care, and relevant specialty care, including cardiopulmonary and endocrine specialties, into a coordinated continuum.

What types of planning activities are implied by the NOFO description?

Based on the description provided, planning activities are expected to include designing how an integrated model would function in real-world settings, identifying barriers to uptake and continuity, selecting feasible implementation strategies for under-resourced environments, and preparing for rigorous implementation and evaluation using D and I science methods.

How important are stakeholder partnerships for MCCI?

Stakeholder partnerships are a major emphasis. The NOFO calls for strong partnerships and early engagement with communities and care settings to ensure the model is feasible, acceptable, and usable in real-world contexts, especially in under-resourced clinics and service networks.

What "systems" issues does the NOFO want applicants to address?

The opportunity emphasizes changing systems that determine whether people can access and benefit from care. Examples mentioned include provider training, workflow redesign, and infrastructure changes that support successful implementation.

Is this funding opportunity focused on implementation science?

Yes. The NOFO describes MCCI as part of a dissemination and implementation (D and I) science effort and expects planning for implementation and evaluation using contemporary D and I science methods.

Is this a planning-phase award or an implementation award?

It is described as a planning-phase award intended to prepare projects for a larger implementation and testing effort.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is RFA-AA-24-012.

What is the listed closing date?

The original closing date listed in the provided information is 2025-02-19.

Is the award ceiling or number of expected awards provided here?

No. The provided source information states that an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified, and applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget and award details.

What type of funding is this categorized as?

This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.

What activity category is associated with this opportunity?

It falls under the education and health activity category.

Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.213, 93.273, 93.307, and 93.361.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across government, academic, nonprofit, and certain for-profit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are specific institution types explicitly called out as eligible or encouraged?

Yes. The NOFO explicitly calls out or encourages applications from (or participation by) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Can foreign organizations apply or participate as foreign components?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.

Is this opportunity focused on underserved communities?

Yes. The initiative explicitly prioritizes subgroups with the least access to high-quality services, including racial and ethnic minority women and girls living in low-resource environments.

What makes this opportunity different from disease-specific programs?

MCCI is designed around multi-morbidity and overlapping conditions, aiming to avoid siloed care by building an integrated continuum that can address multiple chronic and behavioral health challenges together.

What is the long-term outcome MCCI is aiming for?

The longer-term aim is to reduce the burden and impact of multi-morbidity and improve health equity by preparing integrated, coordinated care models that can be implemented and tested in real-world settings.