Limited Competition: National Biocontainment Laboratories (NBLs) Operations Support (UC7 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, plans to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for continued operations support to the National Biocontainment Laboratories (NBLs). These laboratories are located at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, and at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. The funding opportunity is forecasted under the opportunity number FOR-AI-26-001, and it is classified as a discretionary grant opportunity using the UC7 Cooperative Agreement mechanism. This initiative is designed to sustain the NBLs' core functions including facility maintenance, operations, biosecurity, compliance with environmental health and safety regulations, regulatory adherence, and the provision of specialized research support services. These facilities serve as national assets to conduct pre-clinical and laboratory research on hazardous biological agents. Their operations are crucial to the federal government's biodefense strategy and emerging infectious diseases research agenda. In the event of a national health emergency, the NBLs are expected to rapidly pivot their resources and activities in coordination with NIAID to support emergency response efforts across the United States. The total estimated funding available for this opportunity is $23 million, with two awards anticipated. While the specific award ceiling and floor have not been stated, this financial support is intended exclusively for the aforementioned institutions. Applications for this opportunity are not being solicited at this time; the notice serves to provide potential applicants with sufficient preparation time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive project proposals. Eligibility for this limited competition is strictly confined to two institutions: the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX, and Boston University in Boston, MA. No other entities are eligible to apply. This exclusivity underscores the critical and specialized role of the two NBLs in the U.S. biomedical research infrastructure related to biocontainment and high-consequence pathogens. Key dates for this opportunity include an estimated posting date of September 11, 2025, an application due date of November 10, 2025, and an anticipated award and project start date of July 1, 2026. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds under this NOFO. The assistance listing number associated with this opportunity is 93.855, which relates to Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research. For further information, the primary contact is Fayna Diaz San Segundo at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who can be reached via email at fayna.diazsansegundo@nih.gov or by phone at 240-921-3931. Interested investigators with expertise in biocontainment laboratory operations are encouraged to consider applying and begin developing their proposals accordingly.