In midst of the diverse socio-cultural land of America, experience of minorities with their historical visages has always been rendered execrably pathetic with their health rates deteriorating with each passing decade.

Many social factors like racial subjugation, poverty and inaccessibility of government resources are rendering them more vulnerable as compared to people belonging to other communities.

In-spite of having highest level of health problems, members belonging to minority racial groups are least inclined in utilizing health services. Recognizing this fact, National Institute of Health time and again announces grants to induce organizations dealing with the health related issues among minorities to reach their doors imbibing in them importance of health care and maintenance. Promotion of health among males was one of their initiatives making racial and ethnic minority males as their target.

This funding opportunity was opened for those who proposed to expand the research towards the health of minority men. The research had to be conducted to increase understanding of socio-demographic, social and cultural factors responsible for the deteriorating health rate among males and their subpopulations. Its other purpose was catering to the applications, which had been imploring upon the development and testing of health promoting devices to reduce health disparities among the racially and ethnic diverse populations.

The total project period announced was of two years with direct costs allowed up to

$275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with not more than $200,000 as direct costs was allowed to spend in one year.

Applicants could also request for the direct costs of up to $25,000 modules, with the direct costs limitation of $275,000 in a combined two-year award period. Applicants had to follow the policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Any public/State Controlled sectors or institutions of Higher education referred as Nonprofit status with 501(c)(3) IRS Status or Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status and many small businessmen or profit oriented organizations, any state government, tribal government or any other organizations or institutions working for the upliftment of the minorities were deemed eligible for the grants to carry on with the said project.

Even individuals having skills or knowledge and necessary resources to move forward with the proposed project were also invited to work along with his/her organization and individuals having disabilities were also applicable to apply.

For the sex related diseases too, there was a grant proposal to evaluate Locally Developed (Homegrown) HIV Prevention Interventions for African-American and Hispanic/Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM). The grant for the same was announced on 27th January 2009.