Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-25-338) opens a repeated standard R01 grant mechanism to support academic-industrial partnerships that translate scientific discoveries and engineering developments into new technologies, methods, tools, assays, devices, or systems relevant to disease diagnosis, risk assessment, detection, prevention, treatment, or monitoring — with the expectation of translation to use and end users. This NOFO does not allow clinical trials and does not support basic research that lacks a translational component. Multiple standard NIH due dates run through January 8, 2028 (expiration), with recurring application windows (e.g., Feb 5, 2026; Jun 5, 2026; Oct 5, 2026, etc.) — all due by 5:00 PM local time on each date.
How much funding would I receive?
Award budget limit: up to $499,000 per year in direct costs.
Maximum project period: 5 years.
Number of awards: contingent on NIH appropriations and meritorious applications (not specified).
What could I use the funding for?
Funds may be used to enhance, adapt, optimize, validate, and otherwise translate technologies, methods, assays, devices, or systems that:
Address problems in biology, pathology, risk-assessment, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring disease.
Advance capabilities that are suitable for end users in pre-clinical or clinical research or clinical care.
Examples include diagnostic/imaging systems, informatics tools, analytical methods, harmonized data methods, shared research resources, and technologies optimized for low-resource settings.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
The NOFO does not include special supplements, set-aside support, or technical assistance beyond standard NIH funding. (Not specified in the NOFO.)
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Open/earliest submission: January 5, 2025.
Standard NIH due dates: recurring submission windows including Feb 5, Jun 5, Oct 5 of each calendar year, through January 8, 2028 (expiration). All are due by 5:00 PM local time.
Applicants should allow time to correct any errors before each deadline.
Estimated award start dates follow NIH standard review cycles (months after each review).
Where does this funding come from?
Funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Participating NIH components:
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
National Eye Institute (NEI)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Office of Research on Women’s Health (co-funding support)
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicant organizations include:
Higher education institutions (public/private).
Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3)).
For-profit organizations (including small businesses).
Local/state governments; federally recognized tribal governments.
Federal agencies; non-U.S. entities (foreign) and foreign components of U.S. organizations.
Eligible individuals: Anyone with the skills/resources to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Likely competitive projects will:
Form true academic-industrial partnerships with complementary expertise.
Target translation of a technology/method toward a defined end-user application.
Demonstrate a coherent plan to enhance, optimize, validate, or translate the proposed technology.
Show clear metrics, milestones, and feasibility for implementation or adoption.
Address problems relevant to participating NIH institutes.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Clinical Trials: Not allowed under this NOFO.
Commercial production: NOT supported; the grant supports translation up to pre-commercial readiness, not manufacturing.
Basic research: Projects lacking translation emphasis are non-responsive.
Applications must conform to NIH research and submission policies (e.g., DMS, registrations).
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Time depends on readiness of data, partnerships, and NIH registrations (e.g., SAM, eRA Commons). Typical R01 applications require weeks to months of preparation, including:
Strategic alliance planning
Preliminary data assembly
Detailed research strategy
Budget and justification
Registrations (SAM/eRA Commons) prior to submission (can take ~6+ weeks).
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Clarify partner roles and narrative strategy for academic-industrial teams.
Translate technical aims into NIH-aligned specific aims and research strategy.
Advise on regulatory, translational, and commercialization framing.
Support budget planning consistent with NIH guidelines.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.