NIH and NOAA Open Five Research Funding Opportunities Spanning Clinical Science to Marine Fisheries

Clinical and Translational Science Innovation (PAR-25-156)

The National Institutes of Health has opened a limited competition under PAR-25-156 for High Impact Specialized Innovation Programs (SIPs) in Clinical and Translational Science, using the RC2 mechanism with clinical trials optional. The notice states that the purpose of the SIPs is to support the development and demonstration of unique hub capabilities, research platforms, and/or resources to address in a timely manner critical gap areas and/or roadblocks in clinical and translational science at awarded UM1 Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program Hubs, as designated under PAR-24-272. According to the announcement, successful programs are expected to lay a strong foundation for future adoption and/or dissemination of capabilities to additional CTSA Program Hubs. The opportunity carries no cost-sharing or matching requirement, and non-domestic entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. The application deadline is September 28, 2026.

Alzheimer's Disease Translational Research Training (PAR-25-247)

NIH has also published PAR-25-247, an institutional training program opportunity under the T32 mechanism (clinical trials not allowed) aimed at advancing translational research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD). The announcement states its specific purpose is to promote the development of a diverse, interdisciplinary workforce needed to conduct translational research on Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's-related dementias from target discovery through clinical development. The NOFO supports institutional training programs for predoctoral and postdoctoral level researchers with diverse educational backgrounds, described in the notice as including basic biology, translational and clinical research, and data science. Eligible institutions are invited to develop interdisciplinary training programs providing trainees with knowledge and skills in data science, disease biology, behavioral research, and traditional and emerging drug discovery disciplines necessary to conduct rigorous and cutting-edge basic, translational, and clinical research for AD/ADRD. Foreign institutions and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. The deadline is September 25, 2026.

Substance Use Disorder Dissertation Research (PAR-25-347)

Under PAR-25-347, NIH is supporting doctoral candidates through the Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder Dissertation Research Award (R36, clinical trials not allowed). The announcement states the goal is to support doctoral candidates from a variety of academic disciplines for up to two years for the completion of the doctoral dissertation research project, with research projects expected to align with NIDA funding priorities. The notice further states the award will facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of substance use/substance use disorder (SU(D)) research, enhancing the pool of highly talented SU(D) researchers. Eligible applicants include a broad range of institution types, among them HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and faith-based organizations, though non-domestic entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. The application deadline is September 7, 2026.

Minority Health and Family-Level Interventions (PAR-25-317)

NIH has posted PAR-25-317, an R01 opportunity (clinical trials optional) focused on risk and protective factors of family health and family-level interventions. The announcement describes the purpose as advancing the science of minority health and health disparities by supporting research on family health and well-being and resilience. The notice states that the NIMHD Research Framework recognizes family health, family well-being, and family resilience as critically important areas of research to decrease disparities and promote equity. The eligibility pool is broad, encompassing HBCUs, tribal governments, faith-based organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, and others, while excluding non-domestic entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations. The deadline for this opportunity extends to May 8, 2027.

NOAA Fisheries Broad Agency Announcement (NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2024-27611)

Separately, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) is accepting applications under its FY 2024–2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), opportunity number NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2024-27611. The notice states its purpose is to request applications for special projects and programs associated with the NOAA Fisheries strategic plan and mission goals, and to provide the general public with information and guidelines on how NOAA will select applications and administer discretionary federal assistance. The announcement specifies that this notice is not a mechanism to fund existing NOAA awards, and notes that each NOAA Line Office maintains a separate BAA on Grants.gov, directing applicants to submit to the BAA for the Line Office that best fits their application. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international or foreign organizations or governments, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments, with the caveat that eligibility also depends on the statutory authority permitting NOAA to fund the proposed activity. Federal organizations are stated to be outside the scope of the announcement. The BAA carries no cost-sharing requirement and remains open through September 30, 2026.

What to Watch

• September 7, 2026 — Deadline for NIH substance use/SUD dissertation research applications (PAR-25-347).
• September 25, 2026 — Deadline for NIH AD/ADRD institutional training program applications (PAR-25-247).
• September 28, 2026 — Deadline for NIH High Impact Specialized Innovation Programs in clinical and translational science (PAR-25-156).
• September 30, 2026 — Close of NOAA Fisheries FY 2024–2026 BAA (NOAA-NMFS-FHQ-2024-27611).
• May 8, 2027 — Deadline for NIH minority health and family health interventions R01 applications (PAR-25-317).