Research Resource for a National Swine Resource and Research Center (U42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Research Resource for a National Swine Resource and Research Center (NSRRC) opportunity is a forecasted federal funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opportunity is administered through the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) and is identified under opportunity number PAR-27-029. The funding mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement (U42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), and the opportunity falls under Assistance Listing 93.351 for Research Infrastructure Programs. NIH expects to make one award under this opportunity to support the continuation of a centralized National Swine Resource and Research Center dedicated to advancing biomedical research infrastructure through the use of genetically modified swine models. The purpose of the NSRRC is to provide national-level support for the creation, breeding, cryopreservation, maintenance, and distribution of genetically modified swine models used in biomedical research. NIH describes the Center as a critical resource intended to promote reproducibility, reduce variability, and improve scientific rigor across studies involving large animal models. By centralizing infrastructure and technical services, the NSRRC minimizes duplication of effort and lowers operational costs that would otherwise be borne by individual laboratories maintaining separate breeding colonies and facilities. The Center is expected to provide high-quality, specific pathogen-free swine models and associated support services that enable investigators to focus on scientific discovery rather than infrastructure maintenance. The NOFO description explains that the NSRRC will support a broad range of biomedical research functions. These include genotyping and phenotyping services, infectious disease monitoring, cryopreservation, protocol sharing, and technical consultation related to the use of swine models in studies of human health and disease. The Center is also expected to provide information and training concerning the care and use of these models. NIH further notes that the Center should contribute to the development and implementation of alternative or complementary methodologies, including new approach methodologies (NAMs), alongside in vivo research models. The funding is therefore intended not only to sustain animal resource infrastructure, but also to support translational science, reproducibility, and methodological innovation within the biomedical research community. The estimated award ceiling for this opportunity is $1,008,943, with an estimated award floor of $960,898. NIH anticipates making one award. Total program funding was not specified in the forecast notice. No cost sharing or matching requirement is associated with this opportunity. The forecast notice does not specify the project period length, indirect cost limitations, or other detailed budget restrictions at this stage. The funding opportunity is categorized under Health and supports research infrastructure rather than direct clinical trials. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism. As a cooperative agreement, the award will likely involve substantial federal scientific or programmatic involvement consistent with NIH cooperative agreement policies. Eligibility for the opportunity is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, independent school districts, special district governments, small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, public housing authorities, and additional eligible entities identified in the notice. Additional eligible applicants include faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and non-domestic entities or foreign institutions. Because the opportunity allows both U.S.-based and foreign applicants without limiting eligibility to specific states or territories, the program can be considered nationwide in scope. The notice does not identify any pre-application requirements such as letters of intent, concept papers, or pre-proposals. The funding opportunity is currently forecasted rather than open for applications. The forecasted notice was published on May 6, 2026. NIH estimates that the full announcement will be posted on November 25, 2026. Applications are expected to be due on January 25, 2027. NIH estimates an award date of December 1, 2027, with an estimated project start date of December 14, 2027. The opportunity appears to represent a recurring infrastructure program based on the continuation support language and NIH research infrastructure funding practices, although the forecast notice does not explicitly state an annual recurrence cycle. Applicants seeking additional information may contact the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs at ORIPDCM@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 301-435-0744.

Emphasize centralized infrastructure reproducibility pathogen-free model management genotyping phenotyping training and support for innovative biomedical research methodologies including complementary new approach methodologies.