Microplastics Research and Resource Coordination Center (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Microplastics Research and Resource Coordination Center opportunity is a forecasted federal funding initiative administered by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically aligned with environmental health priorities under Assistance Listing 93.113, this program is expected to support the establishment of a centralized coordination center focused on advancing scientific understanding of microplastics and nanoplastics and their effects on human health. The initiative reflects a growing federal emphasis on interdisciplinary environmental health research and the need for standardized approaches to emerging contaminants that impact public health systems. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to create a robust coordination center that will unify and enhance multidisciplinary research efforts across biomedical and material science domains. The center is expected to play a leadership role in organizing collaboration among researchers, improving methodological consistency, and accelerating scientific progress in the study of microplastics and nanoplastics. A key objective is to ensure that research findings across different studies are comparable and reliable through the development of shared standards and harmonized data practices. Funding will be provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from the funding agency in guiding project activities. The center’s scope includes the development and dissemination of standardized sampling and analytical methods, the harmonization of datasets, and the distribution of experimental standards to researchers in the field. These activities are intended to strengthen the scientific infrastructure supporting microplastics research and to improve the reproducibility and validity of findings. While specific allowable and unallowable cost categories are not detailed in the forecast, funding is expected to support coordination activities, infrastructure development, and collaborative research facilitation rather than direct clinical trials. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of entity types such as small businesses, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (both public and private), state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, and for-profit entities. Additional eligible applicants include federal agencies, U.S. territories, faith-based organizations, and regional organizations. This wide eligibility scope reflects the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the initiative, encouraging participation from diverse sectors capable of contributing to the coordination and advancement of research efforts. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures, likely requiring registration and submission through Grants.gov. While specific application components are not listed in the forecast, applicants should anticipate requirements typical of NIH cooperative agreements, such as detailed research plans, coordination strategies, budget justifications, and documentation of institutional capacity. No pre-application or letter of intent requirement is specified at this stage. Evaluation criteria are expected to focus on the applicant’s ability to lead a coordination center, foster collaboration, and implement standardized methodologies effectively. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecasted stage, with an estimated posting date of October 1, 2026, and an anticipated application deadline of December 1, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by September 1, 2027, with project activities commencing shortly thereafter. The program is not currently indicated as recurring, and only one award is expected to be issued under this opportunity. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and direct inquiries to the provided contact email for additional information as the funding announcement is finalized.