Informatics, Coordination and Service Center for the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers (U42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives, intends to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in Spring 2025 to solicit applications for the Informatics, Coordination and Service Center (ICSC) unit within the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers (MMRRC) consortium. This planned opportunity will use the U42 Cooperative Agreement mechanism, which supports the development and maintenance of resources such as animal and biological models intended to advance human disease research. The grant is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity and does not allow for clinical trials. Applications are not currently being accepted, as this is a forecasted opportunity designed to give prospective applicants time to develop collaborations and responsive proposals. The ICSC unit plays a critical role in coordinating and enhancing the performance of the MMRRC consortium by supporting data infrastructure, operational consistency, and integration with both animal and non-animal models of disease. These include new approach methodologies (NAMs) such as computational systems, organoids, and microphysiological systems that can complement traditional animal models. The overarching aim is to increase the quality, reproducibility, and predictive power of preclinical biomedical research by integrating various models and systematically collecting and analyzing comparative data. In addition to service functions, the center is expected to propose high-risk, high-reward pilot projects that align with consortium goals. Applicants are encouraged to consider multidisciplinary collaborations, especially those that bridge expertise in mouse genetics, biomedical informatics, and data systems that track model usage and impact. The grant will focus on providing support for acquisition, evaluation, cryopreservation, and distribution of mutant mouse strains and related materials. Applicants should be equipped to monitor and assess the impact of these efforts on broader biomedical research objectives. A major requirement is the center’s close coordination with ongoing NAMs development and its ability to maintain operational excellence within the MMRRC consortium. The forecast indicates the estimated post date of the funding opportunity is June 17, 2025, with an anticipated application deadline of August 17, 2025. The estimated award and project start dates are both June 1, 2026. The total program funding is projected at $878,000, with one award expected. No cost-sharing or matching is required. Eligibility is open to a broad range of applicants, including state and local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, higher education institutions (both public and private), small businesses, and other for-profit organizations. Applicants will need to align their proposals with the strategic goals of the MMRRC consortium and demonstrate how their projects enhance existing informatics and service infrastructure. Though specific evaluation criteria and application components have not yet been published, the emphasis on rigorous data practices and integration of NAMs indicates that scientific merit and operational feasibility will be central to the review process. Further details will be available upon official NOFO release. For inquiries, applicants may contact Dr. Oleg Mirochnitchenko at the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs via email at oleg.mirochnitchenko@nih.gov or by phone at 301-425-0479. The opportunity is intended for FY2026 funding and offers a window for early engagement to ensure robust and collaborative applications.