National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) (P41 Clinical Trials Optional)

The National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) program is a longstanding initiative supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This funding opportunity, issued under NOFO number PAR-23-235, continues a series of reissuances, most recently replacing PAR-20-169. The program aims to establish and maintain centers of excellence that drive the development of cutting-edge biomedical imaging and bioengineering technologies. These centers serve as national resources by fostering collaborations, training users, disseminating technology, and supporting innovative technology development projects in response to biomedical research needs. The NCBIB initiative provides support for the creation and operation of multi-component centers, each built around a foundation of Technology Research and Development (TR&D) projects. These projects must focus on high-impact, state-of-the-art technological innovation and are expected to address unmet needs in the biomedical research community. Each TR&D project must be tied to Collaborative Projects (CPs), which function as the primary drivers of innovation and testing, and to Service Projects (SPs), which provide a broader range of researchers access to established technologies. Centers are also responsible for training and dissemination activities, including the maintenance of an informative website and the delivery of training to a wide range of stakeholders, from students to clinicians. The funding structure includes support for direct costs typically ranging from $600,000 to $750,000 annually, with up to $500,000 available over five years specifically for special-purpose equipment. The performance period for each award may last up to five years, and Centers may be renewed, but NIBIB restricts funding for any single Center to a maximum of fifteen years. There is no fixed limit on the number of awards, which depends on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications received. Applicants must submit a letter of intent 12 weeks before the application deadline and follow the NIH Multi-Project (M) application guide, except where the NOFO specifies otherwise. Multiple components are required in the application, including an Overall section, Administrative Core, at least three TR&D projects, and a Technology Training and Dissemination component. Descriptions of at least five CPs and five SPs are also required. The application must be submitted via NIH ASSIST or an institutional system linked to Grants.gov. It is highly recommended that applicants initiate discussions with NIBIB Program Directors 4–6 months before submission. The next application deadline is May 25, 2026, with subsequent standard due dates following a recurring schedule through September 2026. Applicants should ensure all registrations (SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov) are complete prior to submission, as late applications due to incomplete registrations will not be accepted. Notification and award dates follow the NIH review cycle, with review panels and advisory councils meeting approximately two to three months after submission deadlines. Performance periods for awarded Centers begin as early as four months after submission. The NCBIB program is open to a wide range of eligible applicants, including higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofit and for-profit organizations, tribal entities, local and state governments, and certain federal entities. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, although U.S.-based institutions with foreign components may participate. A unique aspect of the program is its support for early-stage clinical trials (Phase I only) that are integral to technology development but does not support trials assessing efficacy or post-market use. All human subjects research must comply with NIH clinical trial policies, and the program encourages compliance with new data sharing and genomic data policies. Applicants with proposals exceeding $500,000 in direct costs in any one year must submit a white paper and obtain program approval at least 12 weeks before applying.

Engage early with program staff; ensure CPs and SPs align with TR&D projects; emphasize national impact, training, and dissemination.