Research Council of Finland (RCF) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Partnership Program

The Research Council of Finland (RCF) – National Institutes of Health (NIH) Partnership Program is a forecasted discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. This program was established in 2020 to foster collaborative biomedical and behavioral research between U.S. institutions and Finnish investigators. The initiative seeks to generate discoveries and innovations that enhance fields such as population health, disease prevention, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and quantum sensing in biomedical applications. It is designed to strengthen the relationship between Finland and the United States while advancing global scientific progress. Under this partnership, U.S. institutions are encouraged to submit applications that demonstrate significant collaboration with Finnish researchers. Importantly, Finnish investigators must receive authorization from the Research Council of Finland to participate in the program. NIH will oversee the receipt, peer review, and selection process for the applications, ensuring rigorous scientific evaluation. Funding responsibilities are divided, with RCF covering the Finnish research component and participating NIH Institutes and Centers supporting the U.S. portion of the joint projects. The program falls under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, specifically Sections 301, 307, and 482, as amended. It is listed under Assistance Listing 93.989 for International Research and Research Training, underscoring its mission to expand the international dimension of U.S. health research. Although award amounts, program ceiling, and floor values have not yet been announced, the program provides an opportunity for comprehensive scientific cooperation with long-term benefits for both countries. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes U.S. state governments, city or township governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized and other tribal organizations), special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, public and private higher education institutions, small businesses, for-profit entities other than small businesses, and certain federal agencies. Additionally, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are eligible to apply. This wide eligibility base reflects NIH’s intent to encourage a diverse applicant pool. The forecasted application timeline includes an estimated post date of November 28, 2025, with a projected application due date of June 5, 2026. Awards are expected to be made on April 1, 2027, which is also the anticipated project start date. The program does not require cost sharing or matching, making it accessible to a larger pool of applicants. Applications will be evaluated based on NIH peer review standards, which typically include scientific merit, significance, investigator expertise, innovation, and overall impact. Interested applicants may direct inquiries to the NIH program officer listed in the forecast. The designated contact for this opportunity is Sarah Scharf, who may be reached by phone at 301-496-4784 or by email at sarah.scharf@nih.gov. Prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor the official posting on Grants.gov for updates, as the details remain subject to change until the official Notice of Funding Opportunity is released.