Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Shared Instrumentation Grant Program (SIG) (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a funding opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program has been restructured to consolidate three existing shared-use instrumentation programs, including the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program, the High-End Instrumentation Grant Program, and the Basic Instrumentation Grant Program. This restructuring aims to streamline funding opportunities for research infrastructure by focusing on the purchase or upgrade of advanced, commercially available instruments that serve broad research communities. The program is designed to support groups of NIH-funded investigators who need access to a single high-value item or integrated instrumentation system. The purchased equipment is expected to be shared optimally among multiple users to maximize efficiency, encourage collaborative research, and improve cost-effectiveness. The program emphasizes supporting research that requires rigorous and reproducible measurements and ensures that the instruments funded will contribute to advancements across multiple scientific disciplines. The funding scope allows for the purchase or upgrade of state-of-the-art commercial instruments but does not permit funding for clinical trials. The minimum award size is set at $300,000 and the maximum award is $5,000,000. The estimated total program funding is $83,000,000 for this cycle, with approximately 102 awards anticipated. Cost sharing is required in cases of premium instruments or special use instruments, which helps ensure institutional investment in the shared equipment. Eligibility for this program includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding individuals and for-profit businesses. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to effectively share the purchased instrument among multiple investigators, thereby ensuring broad and sustainable use across their institution or research network. The forecasted key dates for this opportunity indicate that the application period is expected to open on December 12, 2025, with applications due by July 1, 2026. The anticipated award date is March 1, 2027, and funded projects are expected to begin on the same date. As of now, this opportunity is in a forecasted stage and is not yet accepting applications. Applicants should monitor the official posting for updates as the estimated post date approaches. For further inquiries, the primary program contact is Dr. Xiang-Ning Li, MD, PhD, who can be reached via email at xiang-ning.li@nih.gov or by phone at 301-435-1744. Interested applicants are encouraged to engage with NIH resources early to prepare strong applications and ensure compliance with eligibility and cost-sharing requirements. The program provides a valuable opportunity to enhance research infrastructure by funding cutting-edge instruments that will support scientific innovation and discovery across diverse biomedical research fields.