Community Engagement Evaluation and Data Coordination (CEED) Hub to Advance Data and Practice Transformation for Optimizing Oral Health for All (U01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Community Engagement Evaluation and Data Coordination Hub to Advance Data and Practice Transformation for Optimizing Oral Health for All is a federal funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health, specifically led by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research with collaboration from multiple NIH offices. This initiative is designed as part of a broader consortium known as ADAPT, which focuses on advancing community-based participatory research and improving oral health outcomes across populations. The CEED Hub will function as a central coordinating entity supporting research projects within the consortium through data integration, evaluation, and operational infrastructure. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a coordination hub that enhances data use, methodological rigor, and community engagement practices across funded research projects. The CEED Hub is expected to provide leadership in three core domains: data planning and technical assistance, community engagement evaluation, and operational support for consortium-wide activities. These responsibilities include harmonizing datasets, offering methodological consultation, and facilitating collaboration among participating research teams and community partners. The overarching goal is to optimize oral health outcomes by addressing systemic and community-level determinants of health through coordinated research efforts. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from NIH staff throughout the project lifecycle. The total anticipated funding is approximately $1 million for fiscal year 2027, supporting a single award with a project period of up to five years. While there is no fixed budget cap per application, applicants must justify their requested funding based on project needs. Allowable costs include operational expenses, data management systems, personnel training, consortium meetings, technical consultations, and evaluation activities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Eligibility for this program is broad and inclusive, encompassing higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities including small businesses, and various levels of government including state, local, and tribal governments. However, foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible to apply, and international subawards are not permitted. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to coordinate complex research initiatives and possess expertise in data science, community engagement, and public health research methodologies. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov using one of several electronic systems, including NIH ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applicants must complete required registrations such as SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application must follow the NIH Research Instructions and include detailed components such as a research strategy, data management plan, and descriptions of organizational capacity. Applications must not propose clinical trials, although human subjects research is allowed under specific conditions. Applications will be evaluated through NIH’s peer review process based on criteria including significance, innovation, methodological rigor, feasibility, and the expertise of the investigative team. Additional emphasis is placed on the applicant’s ability to coordinate consortium activities and enhance community engagement practices. Review cycles include scientific merit review, advisory council review, and final funding decisions based on merit, funding availability, and alignment with program priorities. Key dates for this opportunity include a posted date of April 27, 2026, an application open date of September 19, 2026, and a submission deadline of October 19, 2026. The earliest anticipated start date for funded projects is July 2027. This opportunity does not indicate recurrence and is expected to be a one-time solicitation. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for corrections and must ensure compliance with all submission requirements to be considered for review.

Align proposal with three required domains; emphasize data harmonization and community engagement rigor; demonstrate consortium coordination experience; ensure compliance with NIH application instructions