NIAID MPS Centers (RFA-AI-28-012)

Executive Summary

NIAID's RFA-AI-28-012 funds a consortium of Translational Centers that use microphysiological systems (organ-on-chip and other human tissue models) for infectious diseases, with $15M planned in FY2028 for 7 to 11 awards. U.S. small businesses and other for-profits are eligible. Applications are due January 29, 2027, 5:00 PM local time.

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The deciding factor is regulatory readiness. The Centers are meant to refine well-validated human tissue models of infectious disease to a level consistent with regulatory qualification, so product developers adopt them and regulators accept them.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: National Institutes of Health, NIAID, with NIH OD ORIVA and the Office of AIDS Research
• Opportunity: Translational Centers Using Microphysiological Systems for Infectious Diseases (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Number: RFA-AI-28-012
• Award Vehicle: Cooperative agreement (U54); no cost sharing
• Funding: FY2028 commitments: NIAID $9M (5-7 awards), ORIVA $4M (1-2 awards), OAR $2M (1-2 awards). Budgets are not capped; projects run up to 5 years
• Posted: October 20, 2026
• Due date: January 29, 2027, 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the January 29 deadline.

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What Is the TCMID Program?

A new NIAID consortium of Translational Centers using Microphysiological Systems for Infectious Diseases. NIH says MPS work is moving toward validation and regulatory use but has not focused on infectious disease models or on testing medical interventions.

What Problem Is NIAID Trying to Solve?

Infectious disease drug and vaccine developers lack qualified human tissue models. Recent NIH and FDA initiatives on New Approach Methodologies aim to model human disease better, cut costs and spare laboratory animals. NIAID wants infectious disease MPS models that developers can rely on and regulators can accept.

Priority Capability Areas: What NIAID Is Looking For

• Human tissue models of infection: well-validated MPS models of infectious diseases.
• Intervention testing: using those models to test medical interventions.
• Regulatory qualification: refining models to a level consistent with qualification, with defined contexts of use.
• Adoption: models product developers will take up.

Funding and Award Terms

• FY2028 commitments: NIAID $9M (5-7 awards), ORIVA $4M (1-2 awards), OAR $2M (1-2 awards).
• Budgets: not limited, but must reflect actual project needs. Maximum project period 5 years.
• Mechanism: U54 cooperative agreement, so NIH staff are substantially involved.
• Clinical trials: not allowed.
• Cost sharing: none required.

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible: government entities, nonprofits, higher education institutions and others.
• Companies: small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible.
• Not eligible: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations.

How to Apply

• Read the full announcement (RFA-AI-28-012) linked from the Simpler Grants.gov listing.
• Ask questions early at DMIDMPSTranslational@mail.nih.gov.
• Register in SAM.gov, Grants.gov and eRA Commons well ahead of the deadline.
• Submit by January 29, 2027, 5:00 PM local time.

What Happens After You Submit?

• July 2027: scientific merit review.
• October 2027: advisory council review.
• January 2028: earliest start date.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits an organ-on-chip or tissue-model company that can team with infectious disease and intervention-testing experts and plan a path to regulatory qualification. A platform with no infectious disease application, or a project that needs a clinical trial, does not fit.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For NIH center awards like RFA-AI-28-012, we help you:

• Test fit: check your project against the announcement before you commit.
• Build the team: academic, clinical and regulatory partners.
• Frame the plan: the context of use and the qualification path.
• Write the application: structure and draft the U54.
• Manage the timeline: registrations and submission.

Plan Your RFA-AI-28-012 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What does RFA-AI-28-012 fund?

A consortium of Translational Centers that use microphysiological systems for infectious diseases.

How much funding is available?

NIH components plan $15M in FY2028 (NIAID $9M, ORIVA $4M, OAR $2M) for 7 to 11 awards. Budgets are not capped.

What kind of award is it?

A U54 cooperative agreement.

Are clinical trials allowed?

No.

Is cost sharing required?

No.

Can a startup apply?

Yes. U.S. small businesses and other for-profits are eligible. Foreign organizations are not.

When is it due?

January 29, 2027, 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

Who do I contact?

DMIDMPSTranslational@mail.nih.gov.

Can BW&CO help with an RFA-AI-28-012 submission?

Yes. BW&CO helps teams test fit, build the center team and write the U54 application. Book a call with our team.

Source: Simpler Grants.gov: RFA-AI-28-012 (full announcement attached there)