This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites qualified institutions of higher education and research organizations to seek funding to modernize and improve existing shared-use research facilities (e.g., core laboratory space or animal facilities), or to construct new biomedical research space and furnish it with necessary casework or other fixed equipment (subject to requirements described below under Funding Restrictions). The objective of this FOA is to support the development of modern facilities that will enable and enhance the conduct of cutting-edge biomedical research. Any facility supported by this FOA must serve a broad research community, locally at the applicant institution or regionally.
NIH recognizes that modern physical infrastructure is necessary for the conduct of cutting-edge research. As science progresses and new technologies become available, dedicated space is required to house specialized equipment and to carry out novel experimental protocols. Projects will vary and depend on the present institutional infrastructure and long-term institutional strategic plans. Focusing on the advancement of science through the modernization of physical space will be a common and integral feature of all proposed projects. When completed, construction/modernization projects will have a significant institution-wide impact, bringing the research capacities and capabilities to a new level. An institution may request funds to modernize a core facility to create an environment required for research-driven specialized technological services. Likewise, funds may be requested to consolidate space for an institution-wide core which would provide streamlined workflows for contemporary multi-disciplinary investigations. Modernizing laboratory space used on a shared basis to meet the growing needs consistent with an institutional strategic vision for biomedical research is another example of a suitable request. A successful construction/modernization project will serve research teams and a broad range of research efforts. Laboratory space dedicated to an individual PI and their immediate laboratory is not supported under this FOA.
Various factors are typically considered when developing or modernizing research infrastructure. For applications submitted to this FOA, defined research needs will drive the requests for modern engineering solutions. As science progresses and new technologies become available, required dedicated space must comply with relevant technical specifications to provide a well-controlled environment, to enable novel experimental approaches, and to house specialized equipment. It is encouraged that these new spaces adhere to the highest possible standards of green design engineering and operations.
Modern physical infrastructure requires the implementation of advanced engineering designs. Some protocols may only be conducted in designated clean rooms, such as barrier facilities for pathogen-free research or space for synthesis of compounds meeting standards for human subject experiments. Certain equipment requires specially shielded rooms or rigorous control of environmental variables such as temperature or humidity. The shared space also needs to be adequately maintained to serve its desired function over the years. The formal structure of an institutional core typically offers effective oversight to ensure that the required engineering standards of a space it occupies are met and maintained over time. Also, such centralized facilities are organized to provide rigorous scientific support for the conduct of research.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_NIHPAR-22-088_2022) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- PI name, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf) identifying the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements of the sponsor's solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations. References may be included on an additional page.
3. 2-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.