The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a leading federal agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is preparing to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) program. This initiative supports research into the discovery and early-stage development of therapeutics designed to counteract the health effects of toxic chemical exposure. The grant opportunity will use a phased UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement mechanism, and while clinical trials are not permitted, the project will involve close collaboration between the NIH and the recipients throughout the early development stages. This forecasted NOFO intends to encourage robust, collaborative proposals focused on mitigating threats posed by chemical agents to civilian populations.
The CounterACT program plays a crucial role in the broader Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP), aiming to reduce morbidity and mortality from chemical exposures, whether accidental or deliberate. This NOFO emphasizes discovery and early development of small molecules or biologics that can serve as medical countermeasures. Proposals should focus on high-priority chemical threat agents as recognized by the U.S. government and must demonstrate clear therapeutic potential in preclinical models. The UG3 phase supports milestone-driven research and development activities, while successful projects may transition to the UH3 phase for advanced preclinical work.
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, highlighting NIH's active involvement in project oversight and coordination. While funding ceilings and floors have not been specified at this stage, the anticipated number of awards has also not been determined. This notice is intended as a forecast, allowing potential applicants ample time to form partnerships and align research priorities with program goals before the official NOFO release in March 2025. Funding will be provided for fiscal year 2026, with anticipated awards made by June 1, 2026, and project initiation expected by July 1, 2026.
The opportunity is open to a wide range of eligible applicants, including county and state governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding those that are also institutions of higher education), Native American tribal organizations and governments, small businesses, and for-profit entities that are not small businesses. This broad eligibility reflects the program’s aim to attract diverse research and innovation across sectors. Specific guidance can be found in the NOT-NS-24-126 notice.
No cost sharing or matching funds are required for this opportunity. The grant is categorized under the Health funding activity, aligning with NIH’s mission to support health-focused research and innovation. As the NOFO is not yet published, there are no application forms or documents currently available, but it is expected to be issued in early 2025. The estimated application due date is October 17, 2025.
For further inquiries, interested parties may contact the NIH OPERA DGSI Systems Policy Branch at operasystemspolicy@nih.gov. This early communication channel ensures that applicants can prepare and clarify any preliminary questions before the formal NOFO release. The official grant forecast was last updated on March 31, 2025, and will remain publicly available until at least April 1, 2025, to ensure transparency and accessibility.
