Institutional Training for a Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (T90/R90 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 056

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 056

The Institutional Training for a Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (T90/R90 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (PAR-20-056) is a National Institutes of Health program administered by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Its core purpose is to strengthen the national pipeline of dental, oral, and craniofacial researchers by supporting structured institutional programs that train people at key career stages. The emphasis is on building a diverse, highly qualified workforce prepared to contribute to the nation s basic and clinical biomedical research, as well as behavioral and social sciences research, in areas tied to dental, oral, and craniofacial health.

This opportunity uses the combined T90/R90 mechanism. The T90 component supports research training at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels, while the R90 component supports research education specifically for postdoctoral participants. In practical terms, this means institutions can propose a coordinated program that includes both hands-on research training and more formal educational experiences, with the overall goal of producing scientists who are ready to move toward research independence and make meaningful contributions to the field. The program is designed to go beyond simply placing trainees in labs; it expects a deliberate, well-organized training environment that guides participants through research skill development, professional growth, and preparation for long-term research careers.

A defining feature of the training model is that programs should integrate three major elements: didactic training, research experiences, and career development. Didactic training generally refers to structured learning such as coursework, seminars, workshops, and instruction in responsible conduct of research and other foundational topics needed for rigorous science. The research component is meant to provide substantive mentored research experiences that build technical expertise and scientific thinking, ideally aligned with dental, oral, and craniofacial priorities. The career development component is meant to help participants learn how to function as professional scientists, which can include grant writing, scientific communication, mentorship, networking, and understanding how to navigate an academic, clinical, or research career path. Taken together, these pieces are intended to prepare participants for careers as independent scientists whose work can address national research needs in oral and craniofacial health.

The FOA is explicitly labeled Clinical Trial Not Allowed for appointed trainees, which is an important compliance point. Trainees supported under this program are not permitted to lead an independent clinical trial. However, the announcement does allow trainees to gain meaningful clinical trial experience when the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. In other words, clinical trial exposure is permitted as part of mentored training, but the responsibility and leadership of the trial cannot rest with the trainee as the independent trial leader.

Eligibility is centered on domestic organizations. The FOA allows applications from a range of U.S.-based institutions and organizations, including public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and certain nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education). It also includes eligibility for Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), among other categories listed in the source data. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, reinforcing that the training program and its supported activities must remain within allowable domestic scope.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant in the health funding category, associated with CFDA number 93.121. The source data lists an original closing date of 2022-09-26, and it does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided fields, meaning applicants would need to consult the full FOA for the most current budget limits, program period expectations, and application cycle details. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at institutions that can demonstrate strong mentoring environments and a well-planned training structure capable of producing the next generation of dental, oral, and craniofacial research scientists, while also advancing workforce diversity and readiness for impactful independent research careers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Institutional Training for a Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research Workforce (T90/R90 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-11-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 20 056

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: