Clinical and Translational Science Award

The Clinical and Translational Science Award is a federal funding opportunity administered by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. This program is congressionally mandated and operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act. Its overarching mission is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of translating biomedical and scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit patients and public health systems. The program establishes and sustains a national network of academic medical centers and research institutions that collaborate to advance clinical and translational science. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support a Clinical and Translational Science Award Hub. These hubs serve as centralized infrastructure systems that provide research support, workforce training, and collaborative frameworks to accelerate innovation across the translational research spectrum. The program emphasizes the development, demonstration, and dissemination of new methods and technologies that enhance the quality and speed of research processes, ultimately bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world clinical implementation. This includes advancing diagnostics, treatments, and preventive interventions. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from the funding agency in project oversight and collaboration. While specific funding amounts, award ceilings, and total program funding are not disclosed in this forecast notice, the structure implies significant, multi-year investments in institutional capacity and research ecosystems. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, allowing applicants to focus resources on programmatic and research activities. Allowable uses of funds are expected to include infrastructure development, research coordination, workforce training, and collaborative initiatives aligned with translational science goals. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, small and large for profit entities, public housing authorities, and special district governments. Additional eligible entities include federal agencies, U.S. territories, faith based organizations, and regional organizations. This broad eligibility framework reflects the program’s intent to foster a diverse and collaborative national research network. The application process follows standard National Institutes of Health submission and peer review procedures. Applicants will be required to prepare and submit a comprehensive application through the appropriate federal grant submission systems. While specific application components are not detailed in this forecast, typical requirements include research plans, institutional capacity descriptions, training components, and collaboration strategies. Applications will undergo rigorous peer review, and only those demonstrating high merit and alignment with program goals will be considered for funding. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecast stage. The estimated posting date is September 1, 2026, with an anticipated application deadline of January 25, 2027. Awards are expected to be issued on or around December 15, 2027, with project start dates aligned to the same timeframe. This program is part of an ongoing federal initiative and is expected to recur periodically, reflecting sustained investment in translational science infrastructure. For inquiries, applicants are directed to contact the Division of Clinical Innovation at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences via the provided program email.

Ensure strong alignment with translational science goals and demonstrate institutional capacity for collaboration and innovation