The NHLBI participates in the GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative, a coalition of international cardiovascular research funders who help researchers from different countries optimize their funding applications.
Teams of investigators planning multinational cardiovascular clinical trials can submit their initial proposals for input from, and potential endorsement by, the Initiative’s Expert Advisory Panel (EAP). The EAP provides feedback on the design of trials and their needs for international funding. The EAP may also endorse trials they believe have merit.
Though investigators must still prepare standard funding applications, they can use the input from the EAP in their proposals and include the letter of endorsement from the EAP with their applications. This process can also improve collaboration among investigators and lead to coordinated funding applications for ambitious global clinical trials that might not be feasible in a single country or with support from a single funder.
Disclaimer: The GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative provides a mechanism to support better coordination of multinational trial funding decisions. This initiative neither funds trials directly nor does it guarantee funding by individual funders. Individual members of the EAP who are assessing proposals should not be contacted by researchers directly. Not all proposed funders need to be members of the GCRFF.
Benefits to U.S. Investigators
Investigators who conduct multinational cardiovascular clinical trials can benefit from this collaboration in several ways.
- Lead investigators. U.S. investigators can submit proposals as lead investigators rather than serving only as collaborators on trials led in other countries.
- Coordinated funding. Investigators in each country collaborating on a trial can prepare coordinated but separate applications to potential funders for support of relevant components of the trial, knowing the funders are aware of their proposal and that the proposal has GCRFF’s endorsement.
- Coordinated review. Trials have a better chance of beginning at or near the same time in different countries, making them more likely to succeed and have the results delivered in a timely fashion.
- Better chances of funding success. Projects may have a higher chance of obtaining funding by sharing the financial burden and decreasing the cost to individual funders.
GCRFF Application Process
A team of investigators planning a multinational cardiovascular clinical trial can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the GCRFF. The GCRFF EAP will review the EOI. If the trial is considered to have merit, the EAP may endorse the trial, indicating its support of the proposed research. The GCRFF does not fund trials; rather, investigators must prepare and submit applications to potential funders.
Learn more about the Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative and apply.
NHLBI Funding
U.S. investigators can submit an individual funding application to NHLBI. See the following resources for more information:
- Clinical Trial Development Continuum
- PAR-22-192: Clinical Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
- PAR-22-193: Data Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative U24 Clinical Trial Required)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the GCRFF if I must still apply to each funder?
The GCRFF is designed to help coordinate the process of funding multinational clinical trials. GCRFF endorsement of your trial idea helps potential funders know what kind of support you might get from other funders. Sharing this information may make your application more likely to be accepted and increase your chances for funding.
- If I have already applied for NHLBI funding, is it too late to submit an EOI to the GCRFF?
No, it is not too late. GCRFF endorsement helps NHLBI know what parts of your trial other funders want to support. It also enables NHLBI to better prioritize its clinical trial funding applications.
- I plan to apply for NHLBI funding, but I will have clinical trial sites in other GCRFF member countries as well as in the United States. Do I need to apply to GCRFF before I apply for NHLBI funding?
No. You can submit an EOI to the GCRFF at the same time you submit your NHLBI funding application if you are ready to submit both. You do not need to wait to submit your NHLBI application. Consult your NHLBI Project Officer for more information.
For more questions and answers, see the GCRFF FAQs.
Still have more questions? Email our team at GCRFFclinicaltrials@nih.gov.