The purpose of theNative American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program is to fund federally-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and tribal organizations to support health-related research, research career enhancement, and research infrastructure enhancement activities. A NARCH award supports health-related research, research career enhancement, and/or research infrastructure enhancement projects at one or more eligible AI/AN tribal entities (See Part II. Section III. Eligibility Information. An applicant organization must be one of the eligible AI/AN tribal entities, and must be committed to supporting a NARCH and its goals. The applicant organizations should also have the research administrative infrastructure to manage the multiple-component grant. An applicant organization (see Section III, Eligibility Information), may partner with other eligible AI/AN tribal entities as well as additional non-AI/AN organizations. In such cases, 60% or more of requested funds must remain with the eligible AI/AN tribal entities.

A NARCH supports an Administrative Core and one or more of the following components:

Research Projects (RPs)
Pilot Project Program (PPP)
Career Enhancement Projects (CEPs)
Research Infrastructure Enhancement Projects (RIEPs)
Each proposed component must contribute toward the overall goals of the NARCH. Each proposed component should be led by an individual with relevant expertise and experience. The PD(s)/PI(s) of the NARCH award may lead other proposed components in addition to the Administrative Core. Each proposed component will be reviewed on its own merit and may be selected for funding even if other components in the same application are not.