Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 27 005
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking applications for a single cooperative agreement award to establish and run a Clinical Research Network (CRN) focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The central goal of this opportunity is to build a coordinated, integrated infrastructure that can design, implement, and manage clinical research studies that answer high-impact, practice-relevant questions about AMR. This is not just a one-off research project; it is meant to create a durable, organized network capable of conducting rigorous clinical investigations, including clinical trials (as indicated by the UM1 Clinical Trial Required mechanism), and doing so in a way that is standardized, efficient, and responsive to urgent AMR needs.
The network is structured around four core centers, each with distinct responsibilities that together cover the full lifecycle of clinical research. The Scientific Leadership Center (SLC) is expected to provide overall scientific direction, set priorities, and ensure the network focuses on the most pivotal and timely AMR questions. The Clinical Operations Center (COC) is intended to handle the practical execution of studies, such as coordinating participating sites, managing study operations, supporting regulatory compliance, and ensuring consistent implementation of protocols across the network. The Laboratory Center (LC) provides the laboratory backbone needed for AMR research, which often depends on high-quality, standardized microbiology and resistance testing, harmonized methods, and reliable specimen handling and analysis. The Statistics and Data Coordination Center (SDCC) is responsible for data systems and governance, statistical design and analysis, data coordination across studies and sites, and maintaining the integrity, quality, and usability of the network's clinical research data.
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement (UM1), which generally means NIH will have substantial programmatic involvement compared to a typical research project grant. In practical terms, applicants should expect an active partnership with NIH, including coordination, oversight, and collaboration to ensure the network meets its objectives, adheres to required standards, and can deliver studies that are both scientifically strong and operationally feasible. Because the aim is to run a coordinated CRN, applicants should be prepared to describe how they will integrate leadership, operations, laboratory capacity, and data/statistical functions into a unified system that can support multiple clinical research efforts over time.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes various government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses, among others listed in the NOFO. However, there are strict limits on foreign involvement. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. While foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, NIH policy now prohibits awards that involve foreign subawards or subcontracts under this solicitation. Applications that include foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding. At the same time, the policy does not prohibit unfunded international collaborations, foreign components when allowable under NIH rules, paying foreign consultants, or purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors, as long as those arrangements do not constitute foreign subawards/subcontracts.
Key administrative details from the listing include the Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-27-005, categorized as a discretionary health funding opportunity under CFDA 93.855. The agency is NIH, and the application due date is November 10, 2026. The expected number of awards is one, indicating NIH intends to fund a single, unified network effort under this NOFO rather than multiple competing networks. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided summary, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget expectations, project period, and any caps or modular budget instructions.
Overall, this NOFO is aimed at organizations (or consortia led by a U.S. applicant organization) that can credibly stand up and operate a national-level clinical research network on AMR, with the leadership structure, operational capacity, laboratory standardization, and data/statistical coordination needed to generate actionable evidence on antimicrobial resistance through well-run clinical studies and trials.Apply for RFA AI 27 005
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Clinical Research Network on Antimicrobial Resistance (UM1 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-10. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- 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): NIH Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) Cooperative Agreement
1) What is this funding opportunity trying to support?
This opportunity supports the establishment and operation of a Clinical Research Network (CRN) focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The intent is to build a coordinated, integrated infrastructure that can design, implement, and manage high-impact, practice-relevant clinical research studies on AMR.
2) Is this meant to fund a single research study or something broader?
It is meant to fund something broader than a single study. The goal is to create a durable, organized network capable of running multiple rigorous clinical investigations over time, including clinical trials, using standardized and efficient approaches that can respond to urgent AMR needs.
3) What funding mechanism is being used?
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (UM1), specifically indicated as a "Clinical Trial Required" mechanism. This indicates the network is expected to be capable of conducting clinical trials as part of its activities.
4) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (UM1)?
A cooperative agreement generally means NIH will have substantial programmatic involvement compared to a typical research project grant. Applicants should expect an active partnership with NIH that includes coordination, oversight, and collaboration to help ensure the network meets objectives and adheres to required standards.
5) How many awards does NIH expect to make under this opportunity?
NIH expects to make one award. This suggests NIH intends to fund a single, unified network effort under this NOFO rather than multiple separate networks.
6) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-AI-27-005.
7) Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
8) What is the application due date?
The application due date is November 10, 2026.
9) What program classification is referenced in the listing?
The listing references CFDA 93.855 and describes it as a discretionary health funding opportunity.
10) What is the central purpose of the AMR Clinical Research Network?
The central purpose is to build a coordinated infrastructure that can consistently produce actionable evidence by answering high-impact, practice-relevant questions about antimicrobial resistance through well-run clinical studies and trials.
11) How is the network structured?
The network is structured around four core centers, each covering a major part of the clinical research lifecycle: the Scientific Leadership Center (SLC), the Clinical Operations Center (COC), the Laboratory Center (LC), and the Statistics and Data Coordination Center (SDCC).
12) What is the role of the Scientific Leadership Center (SLC)?
The SLC provides overall scientific direction, sets priorities, and ensures the network stays focused on the most pivotal and timely AMR questions.
13) What is the role of the Clinical Operations Center (COC)?
The COC is responsible for practical execution of studies, including coordinating participating sites, managing study operations, supporting regulatory compliance, and ensuring consistent implementation of protocols across the network.
14) What is the role of the Laboratory Center (LC)?
The LC provides the laboratory backbone for AMR research. This includes supporting high-quality, standardized microbiology and resistance testing, harmonizing methods, and ensuring reliable specimen handling and analysis.
15) What is the role of the Statistics and Data Coordination Center (SDCC)?
The SDCC is responsible for data systems and governance, statistical design and analysis, data coordination across studies and sites, and maintaining the integrity, quality, and usability of the network's clinical research data.
16) What should applicants be prepared to describe in their applications?
Applicants should be prepared to explain how they will integrate leadership, clinical operations, laboratory capacity, and data/statistical functions into a unified system capable of supporting multiple clinical research efforts over time.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes various government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses, among others listed in the NOFO.
18) Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply under this solicitation.
19) Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply under this solicitation.
20) Are foreign components allowed at all?
Foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, but applicants must follow NIH rules and the specific restrictions stated for this solicitation.
21) Are foreign subawards or foreign subcontracts allowed?
No. NIH policy for this solicitation prohibits awards that involve foreign subawards or subcontracts. Applications that include foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding.
22) If foreign subawards/subcontracts are prohibited, what types of international involvement may still be allowed?
The policy does not prohibit unfunded international collaborations, allowable foreign components under NIH rules, paying foreign consultants, or purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors, as long as those arrangements do not constitute foreign subawards or subcontracts.
23) What happens if an application includes a foreign subaward or subcontract?
It will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding.
24) Is the award ceiling (maximum budget) provided in the summary?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided summary. Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget expectations, the project period, and any caps or budget-format instructions.
25) What kind of applicant is NIH looking for?
NIH is looking for an organization (or a consortium led by a U.S. applicant organization) that can credibly stand up and operate a national-level AMR clinical research network, including leadership structure, operational capacity, laboratory standardization, and data/statistical coordination necessary to generate actionable AMR evidence through clinical studies and trials.
26) Does the opportunity emphasize standardization across sites and studies?
Yes. The description emphasizes standardized, efficient, and consistent implementation of protocols across the network, including harmonized laboratory methods and coordinated data governance and quality.
27) Does this network have to be able to respond to urgent AMR needs?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes being responsive to urgent antimicrobial resistance needs and focusing on pivotal and timely questions.
28) Does the opportunity indicate NIH will be involved after the award is made?
Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH involvement is described as active, including coordination, oversight, and collaboration to support meeting objectives and required standards.
29) Is this opportunity limited to academic institutions?
No. The eligibility list includes many types of U.S.-based organizations, including governmental entities, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, and institutions of higher education.
30) Where can applicants find details that are not in the summary (like budget caps and project period)?
Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for details such as budget expectations, the project period, and any spending limits or application-format requirements.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Previous opportunity: Statewide Family Network
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 RFA AI 27 005
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA AI 27 005) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Lasker Clinical Research Scholar's Program (Si2/R00 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 27 076 Funding Number: PAR 27 076 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $499,000 |
| Single Source for the Continuation of the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study Research Center (Collaborative U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 112 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 112 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Clinical Neuroscience Research on Substance Use Disorders (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 27 053 Funding Number: PAR 27 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Candidate Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Technologies Against Radiological/Nuclear or Chemical Threats (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 27 014 Funding Number: RFA AI 27 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Trauma Care Readiness and Coordination Cooperative Agreement Apply for EP U3R 26 002 Funding Number: EP U3R 26 002 Agency: Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Improving the Capacity of Tribal Communities to Identify Emerging Drug Threats Apply for RD ET RDA 26 002 Funding Number: RD ET RDA 26 002 Agency: Office of National Drug Control Policy Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Cancer Prevention and Control Programs for State, Territorial, and Tribal Organizations Apply for CDC RFA DP 27 0023 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP 27 0023 Agency: Centers for Disease Control - NCCDPHP Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 "RFA AI 27 005", 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.