Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting a grant opportunity titled "Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center." This program is focused on enhancing translational science through strategic collaboration between NIH intramural investigators and external researchers. It aligns with the NIH’s ongoing mission to translate basic biological discoveries into clinical applications that can improve public health outcomes. The primary goal of the grant is to encourage and support high-quality translational research that has the potential to deepen the understanding of disease processes or lead to new diagnostic tools, therapeutic interventions, or preventive strategies. These research projects must fall within the scientific priorities of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The mechanism of support will be a Cooperative Agreement, indicating substantial involvement by NIH staff in the performance of the funded projects. The program emphasizes collaborative, patient-centric translational research by enabling extramural investigators to leverage the unique resources of the NIH Clinical Center. The NIH Clinical Center, renowned for its research infrastructure, provides an exceptional environment for clinical trials and other forms of patient-focused research. The grants will foster partnerships that integrate external research expertise with NIH's intramural capabilities. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as private and public institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, state and local governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, and both small and large for-profit entities. There is no matching or cost-sharing requirement for this opportunity, further lowering the barrier for participation by diverse applicant groups. The anticipated application cycle will open on September 1, 2025, and close on December 12, 2025. Award announcements and project start dates are expected on July 1, 2026. As of the forecast posting on June 17, 2025, no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers have been disclosed. The grant opportunity is classified as "forecasted," and applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for updates and the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) once published. For more information or questions regarding this grant, applicants may contact David J. Eckstein, PhD, of the NIH Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach. He can be reached at 301-496-4121 or via email at ClinicalCtrPartner@mail.nih.gov. All applications must adhere to the federal regulations specified under 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200 and are authorized under Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 241 and 284).