Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers (P40 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP), invites applications under its P40 mechanism for the Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers program. ORIP is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives and is committed to supporting research infrastructure that enhances the quality and reproducibility of biomedical research. This funding opportunity supports the establishment and maintenance of specialized Centers that create, characterize, and distribute unique laboratory animal colonies and associated biological materials and services, including informatics tools, reagents, cultures, and genetic stocks. These Centers are intended to serve the biomedical research community on a national scale and across multiple NIH Institutes or Centers. The goal is to improve scientific rigor and transparency by providing high-quality, well-characterized resources that are broadly applicable across research domains. Centers are expected to support traditional animal-based models and also collaborate with efforts to advance new approach methodologies (NAMs), such as organoids, microphysiological systems, and computational models. Each application must include a Resource Component, an Applied Research Component focused in part on NAMs, and a Curation and Informatics Component to ensure robust data and materials management. Applicants may request support for new or renewal projects. Awards can last up to five years, and while there is no strict cap on budget requests, they must reflect actual need. Renewals are limited to a 5% increase in direct costs over the highest annual cost of the prior funding cycle (excluding new Curation and Informatics component budgets). Funded Centers are expected to grow their operations through program income derived from distribution fees, and not rely solely on NIH support for expansion. Eligibility is open to a broad array of domestic U.S. entities, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and state and local government entities. Foreign organizations and non-domestic components are not eligible. Each institution must provide strong evidence of support and sustainability for the proposed Center, including a disaster preparedness plan, an external advisory board, and measures to track research outcomes and community engagement. Applications are submitted via NIH ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions through Grants.gov. Required components include a detailed Research Strategy, Letters of Support, Data Management and Sharing Plan, and others in alignment with NIH’s Multi-Project (M) application format. Multiple submission windows are available, starting from February 18, 2026, with a recurring cycle continuing through September 2028. The NOFO expires on January 10, 2029. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with ORIP staff before submission to ensure alignment with program goals.

Prior consultation with ORIP is strongly recommended to ensure alignment with NIH-wide mission and goals.