Description
This NIH RFA seeks to fund up to five U54 Translational Centers that will develop, validate, and qualify human microphysiological systems (MPS) for infectious‑disease research and therapeutic testing. Centers will create well‑characterized tissue models, generate data and software, and work with the FDA to achieve regulatory acceptance, while retaining primary rights to the outputs. The program emphasizes collaboration, data sharing, and public‑private partnerships, with extensive NIH programmatic involvement and quarterly consortium meetings.
• Cooperative Agreement (U54) – up to 5 awards, total estimated funding $7 M.
• Focus: in‑vitro human tissue/organ models for infectious diseases; no clinical trials allowed.
• Required deliverables: validated MPS platforms, data/software, regulatory qualification packages, annual progress reports, and participation in Scientific Advisory Board activities.
• Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, small businesses, tribal governments, and other public or nonprofit entities.
• Application submission window: Oct 20 2026 – Jan 29 2027; award anticipated Jan 2028.