RFA-LM-26-003
Network of the National Library of Medicine Regional Medical Libraries (UG4 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
Regional Medical Libraries of the Network of the National Library of Medicine
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications to establish or continue Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs) within the geographically distributed Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). The NNLM's core mission is enabling effective use of and contribution to health information and data resources from the NLM and broader NIH. RMLs will serve as regional hubs for professional development of librarians and information specialists, health information dissemination, and community engagement—with expanded emphasis on fostering awareness of and participation in NIH programs, clinical research, and biomedical data sciences across diverse library networks and community-based organizations.
RMLs will generate and maintain active membership among health sciences libraries, hospital libraries, academic institutions, and community organizations focused on biomedical health information and data literacy. They will collaborate with the Network Coordinating Center (NCC) and Network Training Center (NTC) to promote NLM and NIH products and services, evaluate network performance using standardized metrics, and identify and execute professional development and information access programming tailored to regional needs.
- Who can apply: Organizations with institutional connections to a health science library (a critical requirement that may exclude standalone entities without formal library affiliations)
- Funding & project length: Not stated
- Award mechanism: Grant (authority: Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965)
- Key dates: Notice of Funding Opportunity forthcoming; companion NOFOs for Network Coordinating Center and Network Training Center also planned
- Best fit for: Health sciences librarians, information specialists, and library networks seeking to strengthen biomedical data access, clinical research engagement, and professional development across regional partnerships
Insights (6)
Health Science Library Affiliation is a Hard Requirement, Not Preference
The NOFO explicitly states RMLs 'should have institutional connections with a health science library.' This is a structural eligibility gate: standalone library networks, public library systems, or community organizations without formal health sciences library partnerships will be at severe disadvantage or ineligible. Verify your organization's formal institutional connection before investing application effort.
Partnership Management and Network Coordination Expertise Differentiates Competitive Applications
The RML role centers on 'building and managing long-term partnerships' and coordinating across member organizations—not traditional research or service delivery. Applicants with demonstrated success scaling multi-institutional consortia, managing geographically distributed networks, or leading collaborative health information initiatives will be significantly more competitive than those with strong library operations but limited partnership management track records.
Biomedical Data Sciences Competency Now Critical as NIH Scope Expands Beyond NLM
The NOFO signals a strategic pivot: RMLs must now disseminate 'broader NIH community' resources and support 'participation in local clinical research,' not just NLM products. Applicants with expertise in biomedical data sciences, research data management, or clinical research engagement will be better positioned than those focused solely on traditional medical library services.
Regional Medical Libraries Must Align with Network Coordinating Center and Training Center Strategy
RMLs do not operate independently; they are explicitly required to 'work with the NCC and NTC' on evaluation metrics, training needs assessment, and program execution. Applicants should anticipate that their regional strategy will be constrained by network-wide priorities and standardized performance measures. This is a consideration for organizations accustomed to autonomous decision-making.
Program Favors Established Institutional Leadership, Not Early-Career Researchers
This is a network leadership and service delivery mechanism, not a research or training grant. The focus on 'institutional connections,' partnership management, and regional coordination suggests preference for established library directors or information science leaders with institutional authority and track records, rather than early-stage investigators or postdoctoral researchers.
Geographic Scope and Established Network Structure Suggest Moderate Competition Within Regions
The NNLM is 'organized geographically across the United States and its territories,' implying regional RML awards rather than open national competition. This likely reduces competition intensity compared to national mechanisms, but applicants should research whether their region already has an incumbent RML and the renewal/replacement dynamics.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Wed, February 11, 2026
Award Range
— – $600,000
Expected Awards
7
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (1)
Regional Medical Libraries must have institutional connections with a health science library, which could disqualify standalone organizations or those without formal library affiliations
85%
Source Text
“The RMLs should have strong competencies in building and managing long-term partnerships with groups and organizations, deep understanding of biomedical information and data sciences, and institutional connections with a health science library.”