National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) (P41 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 23 235

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 235

The National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) (P41 Clinical Trials Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-23-235) is an NIH discretionary grant aimed at supporting Biomedical Technology Resource Centers (BTRCs). These centers are intended to function as national hubs that design, develop, and refine cutting-edge biomedical imaging and bioengineering technologies, with the technology agenda being driven by real needs identified by basic science, translational, and clinical research communities. In practice, the core idea is not just to fund a single lab's research, but to build and sustain a shared national resource that creates impactful tools and methods and then actively makes them usable by a broad set of outside investigators.

A defining feature of a BTRC under this FOA is the expectation that the center will both innovate and serve. On the innovation side, the BTRC conducts research and development to produce new or improved technologies, which can include hardware, software, methods, workflows, or integrated platforms relevant to biomedical imaging and bioengineering. On the service side, the center is expected to provide access to these technologies for other researchers, meaning the BTRC should be set up to support external users who want to apply the tools to their own scientific questions. In addition, the FOA emphasizes training and dissemination as core responsibilities: BTRCs are expected to train members of the broader research community in how to use the technologies properly and effectively, and to disseminate the technologies widely so they can be adopted beyond the host institution. The overall intent is to accelerate biomedical discovery by reducing barriers to advanced technology, standardizing best practices, and spreading specialized expertise.

The activity uses the P41 mechanism, with clinical trials listed as optional, which typically signals that applicants may propose work that includes a clinical trial if it fits the center's technology development and validation goals, but a clinical trial is not required. The funding instrument type is a grant and the activity category is health (CFDA 93.286), consistent with NIH support for biomedical research infrastructure and enabling technologies. While the notice provides an original closing date of 2026-09-07, applicants would still need to follow NIH submission rules, including any relevant receipt dates, application instructions, and policy requirements linked to this FOA.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified in the listing); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized tribes.

At the same time, the FOA draws clear lines around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. Practically, that means the applicant organization must be domestic and eligible, but certain defined foreign collaborations or elements may be permissible if they meet NIH policy and are appropriately justified in the application.

In summary, this opportunity is designed for applicants that can operate a national-scale technology resource center: one that develops new biomedical imaging and bioengineering technologies, provides those capabilities to a broader user community, trains researchers in their use, and actively disseminates the resulting tools and know-how. The program is structured to build shared infrastructure and expertise that can multiply the impact of technology development across many independent research projects, rather than limiting the benefits to a single team or institution.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Centers for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NCBIB) (P41 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.286.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-07-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 23 235

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