Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination Center (BTOD)(RM1-Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), is offering funding through the Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Center program, under the Funding Opportunity Announcement PAR-23-110. This program aims to support late-stage optimization of biomedical technologies and promote their sustainable dissemination to the broader research community. The BTOD Centers are intended to be at the forefront of their respective fields, integrating technology development with community engagement to advance biomedical research. The purpose of this funding is to foster optimization of technologies that have already demonstrated laboratory feasibility but require further development to enable broad adoption and utility. Applicants are encouraged to focus on areas aligned with the NIGMS mission, such as biomedical workforce training, bioanalytical chemistry, biostatistics, chemical biology, data science, imaging tools, and single-cell technologies. Technologies must have demonstrated feasibility and address significant biomedical questions but need enhancements to ensure accessibility and usability for a wide user base. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities: higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local governments, Native American tribal governments, and others. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, though foreign components of U.S. organizations may participate. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system, adhering strictly to the instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the specific FOA. The application process requires registration with several federal systems, including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. Key deadlines include application due dates on May 28, 2025, and January 27, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The opportunity is active and accepting applications. The award budget allows for up to $850,000 in direct costs per year, excluding equipment and consortium F&A costs, with additional funds permitted for specialized equipment. The maximum project period is five years, and Centers may receive up to 15 years of combined support across BTOD and its predecessor programs. Evaluation criteria for applications include the significance of the proposed Center, the qualifications of the investigators, innovation, approach, environment, and detailed plans for Community Engagement and technology dissemination. Successful Centers will demonstrate the capacity to refine technologies through collaborative projects and actively engage with diverse segments of the biomedical research community. An External Advisory Committee is required to guide Center activities and ensure alignment with community needs. For questions or further information, applicants can contact NIGMS at NIGMS_BTODMailbox@nigms.nih.gov or reach out to the peer review contact Dr. Vinod Charles at charlesvi@mail.nih.gov. Financial or grants management inquiries can be directed to Angela Urdaneta at urdanetaa@mail.nih.gov. This funding opportunity reflects NIH’s commitment to advancing biomedical technologies and ensuring their widespread adoption to enhance scientific research outcomes.