PAR-26-040: Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
PAR-26-040 invites research teams to lead transformational advances in bioinformatics, translational bioinformatics, and computational biology. This opportunity from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) supports projects that create cutting-edge methods, tools, and computational approaches for extracting actionable knowledge from complex biological and biomedical data. Applications open April 6, 2026 and follow NIH standard due dates (first due June 5, 2026). This initiative supports scalable, generalizable innovations that accelerate biomedical discovery and improve health outcomes.
How much funding would I receive?
Direct cost limit: Up to $250,000 per year (applicants must justify budget based on project needs).
Anticipated total program funding: Approximately $2,500,000.
Estimated number of awards: 10.
What could I use the funding for?
Fund research projects that:
Develop new computational methods and tools for bioinformatics and biomedical data science.
Leverage AI, machine learning, and large-scale computation to interpret diverse biological datasets.
Produce durable, generalizable artifacts (software, workflows, resources) that benefit the wider research community.
Enable translational insights with potential impact on health outcomes.
Excluded: incremental tweaks to existing tools, projects outside core bioinformatics/computational biology focus, social/ethical studies unrelated to computational method advancement.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Projects are expected to produce open science outputs (e.g., FAIR tools, publicly available code, datasets).
Participation in NIH peer review and community of biomedical informatics researchers.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Standard NIH due dates: June 5, October 5, February 5 recurring through 2029 (all due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant).
NOFO expiration date: March 6, 2029.
Earliest possible project start: July 2026.
Where does this funding come from?
This opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
Higher education institutions (public and private).
Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status).
For-profit organizations, including small businesses.
Local and state governments.
Tribal governments and organizations.
Foreign organizations (subject to NIH policies).
Important NIH policy: NIH will not issue awards for applications that include foreign subawards or subcontracts unless submitted to a NOFO specifically for international collaborations.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Competitive applications will:
Demonstrate high innovation and impact in computational biology/bioinformatics.
Deliver tools and methods that are publicly accessible and broadly usable.
Show rigorous validation and clear plans for dissemination.
Integrate interdisciplinary approaches and emphasize scalability.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Foreign subawards/subcontracts are not allowed (projects with those elements will be noncompliant).
Cost sharing/matching is not required.
The project must align with NLM’s focus areas; non-responsive or tangential projects will not be reviewed.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Preparation time varies by complexity, but obtaining organizational registrations (SAM, eRA Commons) alone can take several weeks. Technical application drafting with rigorous computational research plans, data management strategy, and dissemination plans typically requires multiple months of coordinated effort.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Translate scientific aims into NIH-aligned application narratives.
Help articulate innovation, significance, and approach clearly.
Build budget justification and milestone plans that meet NIH expectations.
Develop data management, dissemination, and impact strategies that strengthen score.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements for submitting application ($13,000) available.