This webpage contains information for investigators interested in submitting study concepts that would utilize the NICHD MFMU Network infrastructure.
Pre-Application Process for NICHD Network Multisite Clinical Research
MFMU Network Infrastructure
The studies will be conducted through the existing infrastructure of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network. The clinical centers and Data Coordinating Center recently underwent re-competition and were awarded for the 9th funding cycle (2023-2030). The MFMU Network is a collaboration between fourteen Clinical Centers, the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) and the NICHD. Each clinical center is led by a Center Principal Investigator who is experienced in perinatal research and completion of both observational studies and clinical trials. Each clinical center also has a full-time Research Coordinator dedicated only to MFMU Network studies. Robust clinical research infrastructure is maintained to ensure successful participation in all MFMU studies. These resources include access to perinatal data through the medical record, biospecimen processing, and capacity to enroll participants in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The MFMU Network also has demonstrated capacity in successful retention in longitudinal follow-up studies of maternal-child dyads.
Clinical Centers
Recruitment will occur at each of the 14 funded clinical centers. Each clinical center consists of one or more performance subsites. The number of sites in a center varies, for a total of 38 separate hospitals in this current funding cycle. Each of the centers and subsites have already undergone external peer review through RFA-HD-016. A full list of the MFMU centers/sites are provided on the Network Centers page. Subsites are listed within each center’s page.
Characteristics of MFMU Network Clinical Centers 2021
| Characteristic | Number or Percent |
| Total number of deliveries, N | 175,528 |
| High-risk pregnancies, N (%) | 89,672 (51.1%) |
| Multiple gestations, N (%) | 4,177 (2.4%) |
| Pregestational diabetes, N (%) | 5,971 (3.4%) |
| Gestational Diabetes, N (%) | 16,592 (9.5%) |
| Chronic hypertension, N (%) | 12,878 (7.3%) |
| Preeclampsia & hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, N (%) | 30,667 (17.5%) |
| Cesarean deliveries, N (%) | 55,371 (30.8%) |
| Preterm births < 29 weeks gestational age, N (%) | 3,214 (1.8%) |
| Preterm births 29 0/7 – 34 6/7 weeks gestational age, N (%) | 9,540 (5.4%) |