Maternal and Pediatric Precision in Therapeutics (MPRINT) Knowledge and Research Coordination Center

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced its intention to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled “Maternal and Pediatric Precision in Therapeutics (MPRINT) Knowledge and Research Coordination Center.” This program will be funded under opportunity number RFA-HD-26-009. It is part of the Maternal and Pediatric Precision in Therapeutics (MPRINT) Hub, a broader initiative designed to strengthen research and collaboration in maternal, pediatric, and lactation-related pharmacology. This funding opportunity has been released in forecast status, allowing potential applicants time to prepare proposals and establish partnerships ahead of the official application period. The MPRINT Knowledge and Research Coordination Center (KRCC) aims to accelerate the safe and effective development of drugs for maternal and pediatric populations. This will be achieved through the creation of a curated and interoperable pharmacology knowledgebase that is easily queryable and accessible to researchers. The initiative will also emphasize the use of real-world clinical data, particularly through mother-baby linkages, to enhance regulatory science and clinical decision-making. By uniting multidisciplinary expertise, the Center seeks to expand available tools and strategies for clinical trials in pediatrics, obstetrics, and lactation, while also providing opportunities to train the next generation of scientific experts in the field. This cooperative agreement will involve significant collaboration between the awardee and the NICHD. The KRCC will also partner closely with MPRINT’s Maternal Medication and Human Milk Research Center (M2HMRC) to conduct translational and data science research that advances precision therapeutics. The program reflects NICHD’s mission of improving health outcomes for mothers and children by fostering innovation, reducing knowledge gaps, and supporting large-scale research activities that require coordinated efforts across multiple disciplines and institutions. The opportunity is classified under discretionary funding in the health category. It is expected that one award will be issued, with an estimated total program funding amount of $3,625,000. This forecasted cooperative agreement will not require cost sharing or matching contributions from applicants. Specific award ceiling and award floor amounts have not been stated and remain unspecified. The anticipated award date is December 1, 2026, with projects expected to begin on the same date. Funding authority for this initiative is derived from the Public Health Service Act, as amended, and related legislation. The application process will open following the estimated post date of November 21, 2025, with a projected application due date of March 2, 2026. The timeline provides applicants with several months to prepare comprehensive applications. At this stage, no pre-application deadlines such as letters of intent or concept papers have been identified, but applicants should monitor updates to the NOFO for any requirements that may be added when the final notice is published. Because the opportunity is forecasted, applications are not yet being solicited, and prospective applicants are advised to use this time to establish collaborations and ensure readiness for submission. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based and non-U.S. institutions. Eligible entities include state, county, city, and township governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; public housing authorities; Native American tribal governments and organizations; special district governments; regional organizations; faith-based or community-based organizations; U.S. territories and possessions; eligible agencies of the federal government; and foreign institutions. This extensive eligibility scope ensures that a diverse pool of applicants can contribute expertise and resources to the initiative. For questions or further clarification, potential applicants may contact the designated grantor representative: Lesly-Anne Samedy-Bates, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.S., reachable at 301-219-7492 or by email at lesly-anne.samedy-bates@nih.gov. This opportunity reflects NICHD’s commitment to advancing maternal and child health research through collaborative, data-driven approaches that enhance therapeutic precision and regulatory science.