Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 27 024
The Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination Center (BTOD) opportunity (PAR-27-024) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding program run through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). It supports the creation of BTOD Centers that take promising biomedical research technologies that are already fairly mature and push them through late-stage optimization, followed by broad, durable dissemination so that the wider research community can reliably adopt and use them. The core idea is not to invent something brand new from scratch, but to improve, harden, standardize, validate, document, and package a technology so it becomes genuinely usable beyond the original lab, and then to make sure that uptake can continue in a sustainable way after the award period.
A competitive BTOD Center is expected to sit at the leading edge of its technology area in two ways at once. First, it needs deep expertise in technology optimization, meaning it can identify practical bottlenecks and solve the issues that typically prevent tools from spreading (for example, lack of robustness, unclear performance limits, insufficient usability, high cost, poor interoperability, limited scalability, or gaps in quality control). Second, it needs strong engagement with the relevant biomedical research communities that would actually use the technology. That community connection matters because dissemination is not treated as an afterthought; the Center is expected to actively drive adoption through approaches like training, user support, clear documentation, community feedback loops, and distribution strategies that make the technology accessible and maintainable over time.
The NOFO explicitly ties the science scope to the NIGMS mission, so proposed technologies and the biomedical research areas they serve must fit within what NIGMS supports. In practice, that means applicants need to frame their technology in terms of its value to broad, foundational biomedical research rather than a narrow disease-specific clinical agenda, and they should be able to explain how optimizing and disseminating the technology will enable many researchers to ask better questions or run more powerful experiments. Because program fit is central, NIGMS strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact NIGMS staff before submitting to confirm that the proposed Center concept aligns with NIGMS priorities and that the application strategy is responsive to the NOFO’s intent.
This is an RM1 center-style grant mechanism and is labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” which means the proposed work cannot include clinical trials. The project can still be highly biomedical and may support research technologies that eventually influence clinical science, but the activities under this award must not be structured as a clinical trial as defined by NIH. Applicants need to be careful with human studies language and protocols to avoid drifting into clinical trial territory, and should structure validation and testing work accordingly.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes many common applicant types: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Even though the applicant pool is broad, the organizing principle is still that the applicant must be positioned to run a Center with the operational capacity, technical depth, and community reach needed for both optimization and dissemination.
Foreign eligibility rules are strict. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) cannot apply as the primary applicant, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as components. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or elements if they meet NIH’s definition and are appropriately justified and structured. In other words, the award must be anchored in a U.S.-eligible applicant organization, but limited international involvement can be included when it clearly supports the project and complies with NIH policy.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health area under CFDA 93.859. The listed original closing date runs through 2029-01-29, indicating a multi-year window for submissions under this announcement. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text and NIGMS guidance for budget expectations, typical project sizes, and review considerations. The most important takeaway is that the program is designed for late-stage technology readiness work paired with real-world dissemination plans, with NIGMS mission alignment and non-clinical-trial boundaries as non-negotiable requirements.Apply for PAR 27 024
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination Center (BTOD) (RM1 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-01-29.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Center (PAR-27-024)
1) What is the BTOD opportunity (PAR-27-024)?
The Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination Center (BTOD) opportunity (PAR-27-024) is an NIH funding program administered through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). It funds the creation of BTOD Centers that take biomedical research technologies that are already fairly mature and move them through late-stage optimization and then broad, durable dissemination so the wider research community can adopt and use them reliably.
2) Which NIH institute runs this program?
The program is run through NIH's National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).
3) What is the main purpose of a BTOD Center?
The purpose is to make an already-promising research technology genuinely usable beyond the original lab by improving it (optimization) and ensuring it can be adopted and maintained by the broader biomedical research community (dissemination). The emphasis is on making the technology robust, standardized, validated, documented, packaged, and sustainably supported.
4) Is this funding meant to invent brand-new technologies from scratch?
No. The core idea is not to invent something entirely new, but to take a technology that is already fairly mature and push it through late-stage optimization, followed by broad dissemination so others can reliably adopt it.
5) What kinds of work fall under "late-stage optimization" in this program?
Late-stage optimization is described as addressing the practical issues that commonly block adoption outside the originating lab. Examples include improving robustness, clarifying performance limits, increasing usability, reducing cost, improving interoperability, increasing scalability, and filling gaps in quality control. The goal is to "harden" and standardize the technology so it works reliably in real-world research settings.
6) What does "dissemination" mean for a BTOD Center?
Dissemination is treated as a core part of the Center's work, not an add-on. It involves actively driving adoption through approaches like training, user support, clear documentation, community feedback loops, and distribution strategies that make the technology accessible and maintainable over time. The dissemination plan is expected to be durable, supporting uptake beyond the award period.
7) What makes a BTOD Center competitive according to the description provided?
A competitive Center is expected to be at the leading edge in two ways at the same time: (1) deep expertise in technology optimization, including identifying and solving real adoption bottlenecks, and (2) strong engagement with the biomedical research communities that would use the technology, so dissemination is active, practical, and responsive to user needs.
8) Why is community engagement emphasized so strongly?
Because dissemination is not supposed to be an afterthought. The Center is expected to build and maintain strong connections with the user community to support training, documentation, feedback, user support, and distribution approaches that actually lead to adoption and long-term use.
9) How important is NIGMS mission alignment for this opportunity?
It is central. The NOFO explicitly ties the science scope to the NIGMS mission. Applicants need to ensure the proposed technology and the biomedical research areas it serves fit within what NIGMS supports.
10) How should applicants frame their technology to match NIGMS priorities?
Applicants are expected to frame the technology in terms of its value to broad, foundational biomedical research rather than a narrow, disease-specific clinical agenda. They should explain how optimizing and disseminating the technology will enable many researchers to ask better questions or run more powerful experiments.
11) Is contacting NIGMS staff before submitting recommended?
Yes. NIGMS strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact NIGMS staff before submitting. The stated reason is to confirm the Center concept aligns with NIGMS priorities and that the application strategy matches the NOFO's intent.
12) What grant mechanism does this program use?
This opportunity uses an RM1 center-style grant mechanism.
13) Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the proposed work cannot include clinical trials as defined by NIH.
14) If clinical trials are not allowed, can the work still be biomedical?
Yes. The project can still be highly biomedical and can support research technologies that may eventually influence clinical science. However, the activities funded under this award must not be structured as a clinical trial.
15) What should applicants watch for to avoid unintentionally proposing a clinical trial?
Applicants need to be careful with human studies language and protocols so the work does not drift into clinical trial territory. Validation and testing activities should be structured accordingly to stay within NIH's "not a clinical trial" boundary.
16) Who is eligible to apply (in general terms)?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. The listed eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and various government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
17) Does broad eligibility mean any organization is a good fit?
Not necessarily. Even though many organization types are eligible, the organizing principle is that the applicant must be positioned to run a Center with the operational capacity, technical depth, and community reach needed for both optimization and dissemination.
18) Can a foreign organization apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) cannot apply as the primary applicant for this opportunity.
19) Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization be included as a component?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as components.
20) Are any international collaborations allowed at all?
Yes, limited international involvement can be included as "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In practice, this means the award must be anchored at a U.S.-eligible applicant organization, but certain foreign collaborations or elements may be allowed when they meet NIH's definition, are justified, and are structured in compliance with NIH policy.
21) What is the CFDA number and administrative category mentioned for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health area under CFDA 93.859.
22) What is the application window or closing date mentioned?
The listed original closing date runs through 2029-01-29, which indicates a multi-year window for submissions under this announcement.
23) Does the provided information list a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
No. The source data described does not specify an award ceiling.
24) Does the provided information state how many awards NIH expects to make?
No. The source data described does not specify an expected number of awards.
25) Where should applicants look for budget expectations and typical project sizes?
Based on the information provided, applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text and NIGMS guidance for budget expectations, typical project sizes, and review considerations.
26) What are the "non-negotiable" requirements highlighted in the description?
The description emphasizes that the program is designed for late-stage technology readiness work paired with real-world dissemination plans, and that NIGMS mission alignment and the "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" boundary are non-negotiable requirements.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: NEA National Heritage Fellowships Awards Program, FY 2027
Previous opportunity: DoW Arthritis Clinical Research Award
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 27 024
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 27 024) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Research Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 136 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ACL National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA PPNU 0003 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA PPNU 0003 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,014,596 |
| A Demonstration to Scale Innovative Person-Centered Approaches to Falls Prevention through Clinical-Community Partnerships Apply for HHS 2026 ACL CIP AAFP 0017 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL CIP AAFP 0017 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Health Funding Amount: $4,700,000 |
| Scaling Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA FPSG 0004 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA FPSG 0004 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Health Funding Amount: $740,162 |
| ACL National Falls Prevention Resource Center Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOA FPSG 0005 Funding Number: HHS 2026 ACL AOA FPSG 0005 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 27 022 Funding Number: PAR 27 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 27 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 27 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 27 001 Funding Number: RFA CA 27 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Kidney Precision Medicine Project Recruitment Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 301 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 301 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Kidney Precision Medicine Project Tissue Interrogation Sites (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 302 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 302 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORCs) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 27 120 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 120 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Single Source: Post-Stroke Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID) in the United States (U19 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 27 011 Funding Number: RFA NS 27 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program (R03, Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 27 028 Funding Number: PAS 27 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Kidney Precision Medicine Project Central Hub (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 303 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 303 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Growing Great Ideas: Research Education Course in Entrepreneurship and Product Development for Researchers Studying Drug Use, Drug Misuse, and Drug Addiction (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 27 007 Funding Number: RFA DA 27 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 27 055 Funding Number: PAR 27 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Preventing global health threats by strengthening surveillance systems to accelerate outbreak detection, notification, and response Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0113 Funding Number: CDC RFA JG 26 0113 Agency: Centers for Disease Control-GHC Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Continuation of the Cardiovascular Repository for-Type 1 Diabetes (CARE-T1D) Consortium U01 (Open Competition)- Research (U01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 108 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 108 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases - Fostering the AdvanceMent of an Interactive Learning communitY - Coordinating Center (KUH-FAMILY) (U24- Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 126 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 126 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Building National Partnerships for the Prevention of Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases Apply for CDC RFA CK 26 0107 Funding Number: CDC RFA CK 26 0107 Agency: Centers for Disease Control - NCEZID Category: Health Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 27 024", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.