Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network: Technology Research and Development Centers (TRDC) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 203

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 203

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering funding through a cooperative agreement (U54; clinical trial optional) to establish or support Technology Research and Development Centers (TRDCs) within the Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN). The core aim is to speed up the creation, testing, validation, and real-world deployment of point-of-care and home-based diagnostic or monitoring technologies, along with other innovative testing approaches, in a defined health research area. The program is built around a network model, meaning the TRDCs are expected to work in a coordinated way that blends complementary strengths across disciplines rather than operating as isolated research projects.

A central theme of this opportunity is translation: moving promising technologies from concept and prototype stages toward practical tools that can be used in clinics, community settings, or at home. POCTRN TRDCs are intended to integrate scientific and engineering innovation with clear clinical needs, regulatory realities, and commercialization pathways. In practice, NIH is looking for centers that can connect technology developers with clinicians, public health experts, regulatory specialists, and business or market partners so that new tests and devices are not only invented, but also positioned to be adopted and sustained. The expectation is that each center will focus on unmet needs in testing, monitoring, and potentially treatment support, and will demonstrate how its planned work aligns with real demand in healthcare and the market.

This funding opportunity (PAR 22-203) is categorized as discretionary and uses the cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial NIH program involvement compared to a standard grant. The activity falls under education and health, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.213, 93.233, 93.279, 93.286, 93.394, 93.397, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.855, and 93.989), reflecting the cross-cutting nature of diagnostics and biomedical technology development across NIH institutes and programs. The maximum award amount listed is $1,200,000 (award ceiling). The announcement was created on July 13, 2022, and the original closing date listed is January 7, 2023.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The opportunity also explicitly highlights participation from institutions and organizations serving historically underrepresented communities, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), as well as eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the notice specifies that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign elements in the project when justified and consistent with NIH policy.

Overall, the opportunity is designed for applicants that can operate like an integrated center: combining technology R&D capabilities with clinical validation resources and a deliberate plan for regulatory and commercialization progress. The TRDCs are meant to function as engines that turn point-of-care innovations into deployable tools, leveraging POCTRN as a collaborative network to shorten development timelines and increase the likelihood that new diagnostic and monitoring technologies reach the people and settings that need them.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network: Technology Research and Development Centers (TRDC) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.233, 93.279, 93.286, 93.394, 93.397, 93.398, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.855, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-07-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• 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 22 203

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