Intramural - Extramural Collaboration for Advanced 3-D Tissue Models for Drug Screening (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health, operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a forecasted funding opportunity titled “Intramural – Extramural Collaboration for Advanced 3-D Tissue Models for Drug Screening.” This program continues NIH’s broader efforts to enhance translational science through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The initiative builds on previous funding opportunities focused on 3-D skin and tissue models, expanding the scope to develop more complex and versatile 3-D drug screening platforms. The ultimate aim is to support non-animal models that replicate the biochemical, structural, and mechanical properties of human tissues in order to improve drug efficacy testing and accelerate therapeutic discovery. The purpose of this opportunity is to establish collaborations between intramural and extramural research communities, leveraging the infrastructure and expertise of the NCATS 3-D Bioprinting Laboratory. By developing robust models that are both physiologically relevant and adaptable to high-throughput assays, the NIH hopes to strengthen preclinical screening pipelines. The new models are expected to enhance predictive accuracy, reducing reliance on traditional animal models and speeding the evaluation of both small molecules and biologics. Funding is anticipated to support up to two awards with a combined estimated total program funding of $1.6 million. Projects supported will be cooperative agreements, with NIH playing a collaborative role in guiding research direction. While no cost sharing or matching requirement is imposed, applicants must adhere to NIH’s rules on the use of funds, focusing resources on the development, validation, and demonstration of 3-D tissue models as described in the notice. Clinical trials are expressly excluded from this opportunity. Eligibility is broadly defined, encompassing a wide spectrum of U.S.-based applicants. These include state, county, city, and township governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofits with or without IRS 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), housing authorities, and special district governments. Certain organizations are excluded: non-U.S. entities, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components, as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Additional eligible categories include U.S. territories, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and agencies of the federal government. Applications are expected to open on January 16, 2026, with a closing date of June 16, 2026. Awards are projected for April 15, 2027, aligning with the anticipated project start date. This timeline provides applicants with several months to prepare competitive submissions. The opportunity is categorized as forecasted, meaning details may still be refined before the final notice of funding opportunity is published. Applicants should carefully monitor NIH announcements and Grants.gov for updates and final requirements. Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact on translational science. Projects must balance complexity and simplicity in designing models that are physiologically relevant while remaining reliable and scalable for drug screening purposes. NIH’s cooperative agreement framework ensures continuous engagement and oversight by program staff. Questions about this opportunity may be directed to Dobrila D. Rudnicki at dobrila.rudnicki@nih.gov or 240-535-6621, the designated point of contact. Given NIH’s history of advancing cutting-edge translational science, this program represents a significant opportunity for research organizations to contribute to the future of drug discovery pipelines in the United States.