Network of the National Library of Medicine Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Library of Medicine (NLM), is preparing to release a funding opportunity for the establishment of a Coordinating Center within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). The NNLM was first established in 1965 and has grown into a vital infrastructure for disseminating health information and data across the United States. It operates in coordination with the NLM’s broader mission to make biomedical information more accessible, accurate, and usable by the general public, researchers, clinicians, and librarians. The NNLM is organized geographically and partners with various institutional members such as health science libraries, public libraries, academic entities, and community-based organizations. This grant opportunity represents a continuation of NIH’s commitment to improving public health through coordinated information networks. This specific funding notice refers to the Network Coordinating Center (NCC) of the NNLM. The NCC will play a critical role in administering, evaluating, and coordinating the broader NNLM infrastructure. It will serve as the organizational hub of the network, working closely with both the Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs) and the Network Training Center (NTC), which will have their own companion NOFOs. The Coordinating Center is expected to lead network-wide communication efforts, manage evaluation systems, oversee performance reporting through common metrics, and maintain platforms like the NNLM public-facing website. Internal communications and knowledge management systems will also fall under the NCC’s jurisdiction. A successful applicant should demonstrate strong experience in managing complex networks, particularly those involved in health information and public health data dissemination, and show evidence of existing relationships with NIH or similar entities. The overarching goal of the NCC and the NNLM more broadly is to increase public engagement with NIH resources, facilitate understanding of NIH-funded research, and promote participation in clinical research at local and regional levels. Historically, the NNLM has focused on NLM-specific products, but the current strategic direction aims to elevate awareness and use of NIH-wide resources. The NCC’s expanded responsibilities include overseeing the dissemination of NIH-funded research findings and supporting community partnerships. These functions are central to improving public understanding of health data, encouraging responsible data usage, and enhancing equitable access to life-saving health information. The opportunity is a cooperative agreement (U24 mechanism) with a clinical trial optional designation. The expected total program funding is $1.5 million, with a maximum of one award to be made. The award ceiling is set at $1.5 million, and no floor was specified. While there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, applicants must ensure strong financial and managerial oversight to deliver on the complex deliverables described. The anticipated project period begins July 1, 2027, and applications are expected to open around August 15, 2026, with a submission deadline of December 15, 2026. Awards will be announced by July 1, 2027. Eligible applicants include a broad and inclusive range of entities such as state, county, and city governments; nonprofits with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status; public and private institutions of higher education; small businesses; for-profit entities; Native American tribal governments and organizations; independent school districts; and special district governments. Additional eligible entities include Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (non-Federally Recognized), eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories, and faith-based or community-based organizations. This inclusive eligibility language ensures that the broadest range of institutions can contribute to strengthening national health information infrastructure. Applications will need to be submitted through Grants.gov. There is no mention of a pre-application process, concept paper, or Letter of Intent requirement at this time. The NCC will be funded under the authority of the Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965. For questions, applicants are encouraged to contact NLM Extramural Programs via email at [email protected]. No specific evaluation criteria were provided in the current forecast, but applicants are expected to demonstrate leadership, administrative capacity, and alignment with NIH and NNLM goals.