Development of Candidate Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Technologies Against Chemical or Radiation/Nuclear (CRN) Threats
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
This NIH opportunity (RFA-AI-27-014) supports the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) and enabling technologies to address chemical and radiation/nuclear (CRN) threats in civilian settings. The program is administered by NIAID through the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) and Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP). It is designed to fund early and preclinical work that can diagnose, mitigate, or treat injuries following exposure.
This is a forecasted opportunity with an Estimated Application Due Date: October 9, 2026. Founders working in radiological, nuclear, or chemical threat preparedness should begin positioning now, as this is a complex NIH cooperative agreement with long lead times.
How much funding would I receive?
Funding amounts are not specified in the solicitation, but we anticipate funding to range from $500k - $2m.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports research and development of medical countermeasures and enabling technologies addressing CRN threats, including:
Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP):
Radiation-focused models
Biomarkers of radiation damage
Devices to assess and predict injury
Products to improve survival and reduce morbidity across organ systems
Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP):
Preclinical development of products
Technologies to mitigate or treat injury after exposure to Chemicals of Concern
Solutions designed for post-exposure, civilian mass casualty settings
All work must align with developing capabilities to diagnose, mitigate, or treat acute and delayed effects of radiation or chemical exposure during or after public health emergencies.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Not specified in the solicitation.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Estimated Post Date: July 10, 2026
Estimated Application Due Date: October 9, 2026
Estimated Award Date: July 1, 2027
Estimated Project Start Date: July 1, 2027
Additional timeline details are not specified in the solicitation.
Where does this funding come from?
This funding is provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) on behalf of the NIH.
It is authorized under:
Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 241 and 284)
Federal Regulations: 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200
The program is supported by a congressional mandate (Public Law 109-149, Dec. 30, 2005) to advance research addressing chemical and radiological threats.
Who is eligible to apply?
For-profit:
Small businesses
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Projects that align closely with the stated program goals, including:
Development of medical countermeasures for radiation or chemical exposure
Technologies addressing post-exposure treatment in civilian mass casualty scenarios
Preclinical-stage innovations with clear pathways to mitigating injury or improving survival
Tools for diagnostics, biomarkers, or injury assessment
Further selection criteria are not specified in the solicitation.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Funding instrument is a cooperative agreement
No cost sharing or matching requirement
Additional restrictions are not specified in the solicitation.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Given this is an NIH cooperative agreement focused on preclinical and translational research, preparation timelines are typically substantial, but exact expectations are not specified in the solicitation.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support:
Translating your technology into NIH-aligned positioning
Mapping your solution to RNCP or CCRP priorities
Structuring a competitive preclinical development narrative
Managing the full application process ahead of the October 9, 2026 deadline
