Limited Competition: NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources (MSR) for Structural Biology (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 27 068

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 27 068

This funding opportunity (PAR-27-068) is an NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) limited-competition grant for supporting established, user-oriented synchrotron beamline resources that serve the structural biology community. It uses the P30 center grant mechanism and explicitly does not allow clinical trials. The core purpose is to keep proven synchrotron-based capabilities available and reliable for biomedical researchers who need access to X-ray beamlines for structural studies and imaging, covering both static and dynamic approaches and spanning biological scales from molecules up through larger systems, potentially including tissues and organs.

A central theme of the announcement is the meaning of "mature" resources. In this context, "mature" does not mean old; it means technically established. The beamline methods and services supported under this NOFO must be well validated, broadly useful, and already functioning as a dependable platform for a research community. The intent is not to fund major new technology invention or high-risk instrument R&D. Instead, the expectation is that applicants will operate, maintain, and where appropriate modernize existing beamlines and their associated user support infrastructure so they remain aligned with current best practices and continue delivering consistent, high-quality access.

Eligibility is intentionally narrow even though the general NIH applicant categories listed include many types of U.S. organizations (public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits other than small businesses, small businesses, and certain governmental and tribal entities). This is a limited competition, meaning only invited or otherwise specifically eligible organizations should apply, and the key limiting requirement is that the application must be for an existing synchrotron resource currently supported by NIGMS. In other words, this NOFO is designed for renewal or continuation of NIGMS-backed beamline resources rather than for standing up brand-new resources. The announcement also draws a clear boundary around lapsed support: applications cannot be used to restart resources whose NIGMS funding ended more than 36 months before the application due date.

Operationally, the NOFO emphasizes that the supported facility is expected to run like a national or community resource rather than like a single-lab instrument. That includes keeping the beamlines and associated hardware/software maintained, implementing upgrades needed to stay at current standards, and ensuring the resource is visible and accessible to the biomedical research community. Outreach is not treated as optional; awardees are expected to actively communicate capabilities and availability so potential users know what the beamlines can do and how to access them. In the same vein, user training and hands-on support are a major deliverable: the program expects resources to help researchers successfully collect and interpret data, not merely provide time on an instrument.

The NOFO also includes strict geographic and organizational restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. Practically, that means the funded activities, supported components, and the applicant organization must be U.S.-based without foreign components embedded in the proposed work under the award.

Like other NIH opportunities, the applications that are submitted will go through standard NIH peer review. Being invited or eligible to apply does not guarantee an award; only applications judged meritorious through peer review will be considered for funding. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under CFDA 93.859, with the agency listed as the National Institutes of Health. The posted closing date is 2028-10-02, indicating a long availability window for this NOFO, although actual submission cycles and invitation details are governed by the limited-competition nature and the instructions in the full announcement.

In plain terms, this program is about keeping key synchrotron structural biology beamlines running well, widely accessible, and strongly supported for users, while limiting funding to resources with current (or very recent) NIGMS backing and avoiding proposals that hinge on major new technology development or any clinical trial activity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources (MSR) for Structural Biology (P30 - 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 2026-08-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-10-02.
• 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 27 068

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