Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI)

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program was initiated in the United States of America in 1985 as a congressionally mandated program. The mission of the RCMI Program is to expand the national capacity for the conduct of biomedical and behavioral research by developing the research infrastructure at institutions granting doctoral degrees in health or health-related sciences, that have 50% or greater enrollment of minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Alaska Natives) that are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The program administration is based in the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Since its inception, the program has provided critical resources (core research laboratories, equipment, personnel, supplies, etc.) at each of the RCMI-funded institutions. This article is intended to provide an overview of the RCMI Program, outline the research areas and list contact persons for additional information on research and core resources at each of the current RCMI sites.