Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Therapeutic Agent Identification

The Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Therapeutic Agent Identification program (PAR-26-058) is a forecasted funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically involving the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institute on Aging (NIA), the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative, and potentially other participating NIH Institutes or Centers. This program aims to accelerate the early-stage translational research process, emphasizing the development of assays and the identification of therapeutic agents, with a particular focus on non-opioid analgesics and conditions supported by the participating Institutes. The announcement, dated February 25, 2026, provides preliminary details and allows potential applicants ample time to build collaborative partnerships and design competitive applications. The IGNITE initiative targets assay development that can be conducted in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. These assays are instrumental for screening and characterizing potential therapeutic compounds, including both small molecules and biologics. The program encourages the incorporation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) where appropriate, promoting the use of cutting-edge strategies to streamline and enhance the screening process. The intended outcomes of these efforts are foundational tools and data that can support more advanced stages of therapeutic development within the NIH translational pipeline. While the funding opportunity is currently in a forecasted stage, with applications not yet open, the NIH has provided estimated dates to guide applicants in planning. The estimated post date is July 30, 2026, with an application due date of September 30, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be issued by July 1, 2027, which will also serve as the estimated project start date. The projected fiscal year for funding is 2027. Given the early notice, no Letter of Intent or pre-application submission requirement is currently listed. Eligible applicants include a wide array of organizations: higher education institutions (both public and private), small businesses, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations, independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized and other), public housing authorities, regional organizations, U.S. territories, local and state governments, and faith-based or community-based organizations. Notably, eligibility also extends to non-domestic entities, such as foreign institutions, and certain federal agencies. The solicitation makes no mention of any cost-sharing or matching requirements, and funding details such as award ceilings, award floors, or total program funding have not yet been specified. As such, these elements are expected to be clarified upon the full release of the funding announcement. Contact for the program is available through the provided NIH email, [email protected], which serves as the primary communication channel for inquiries related to the opportunity. As a recurring opportunity within the broader IGNITE program framework, applicants can anticipate future cycles, although the frequency is not explicitly stated in the forecast. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor the NIH and Grants.gov portals for updates and to begin early preparations in forming consortia and designing scientifically robust assay development projects aligned with NIH translational goals.