Funding Opportunities

NCI Continues Support of CAM at Minority or Health Disparities Research Centers

National surveys estimate that one-third to two-thirds of Americans have used some form of CAM for health related purposes. While a broad range of projected CAM use among the general population is known, there is relatively little information known regarding CAM use by racial and ethnic minority populations. It is believed that Traditional Indigenous Medicine and CAM practices play an integral role in some minority cultures. A better understanding of these factors can provide insight into the health behaviors and beliefs of these minority populations, which can aid in generating information that may inform the delivery of conventional health care and lead to reduced health disparities.

To gain insight into the potential role of CAM practices either in reducing and eliminating health disparities or regarding minority health, a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) has been renewed across Institutes of NIH. The original FOA PAR-05-152, issued in August 2005, was spearheaded by the NCCIH and was supported by the NCI and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

The renewed FY06 opportunity PAR-06-372 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-372.html) supports exploratory/developmental (R21) research projects on basic science and clinical research projects to investigate the safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action of CAM practices as they relate to minority health or racial and ethnic health disparities. Prior funding from either a NIH or Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality research center on minority health or a research center on health disparities is a pre-cursor for this award.