The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) seeks applications for its Catalyze program under the R33 funding mechanism to further develop enabling technologies and transformative platforms aimed at advancing heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS)-related research. This opportunity is designed for projects that have demonstrated initial feasibility but require further development and rigorous validation to establish their utility in advancing diagnostic, therapeutic, or epidemiological tools. Projects should focus on technologies that offer transformative potential beyond incremental advancements, supporting NHLBI’s mission to foster innovative HLBS research and translation to clinical and societal impact.

Eligible projects must address the development and validation of novel or hybrid technologies, such as materials, devices, or tools, for HLBS-related applications. Proposals should demonstrate substantial improvement over existing methods, emphasizing new capabilities for diagnostics, treatments, or research. Applications must define and justify performance measures, including quantitative metrics for success, ensuring robust validation within HLBS-relevant contexts. Projects exclusively focused on biological hypothesis testing, biomarker discovery, drug-specific development, or early feasibility are considered nonresponsive and will not be reviewed.

The maximum project period is two years, with budgets capped at $350,000 per year in direct costs. The NHLBI plans to fund up to 12 new awards over three fiscal years, contingent upon the availability of funds and the merit of applications. Applications should include a detailed timeline with clear milestones, specific and measurable aims, and plans for project management to ensure progress toward goals. The use of NHLBI resources, such as the Catalyze Coordinating Center, for guidance on milestone-driven project management is encouraged.

Applicants from higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, and eligible federal or local government entities are invited to apply. While foreign organizations are not eligible to apply as lead institutions, foreign components within U.S.-based projects may be included. Registration with eRA Commons, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov is required before submission. Letters of intent are optional but recommended to facilitate review planning.

Submissions must emphasize the transformative potential of the proposed technology and include a "Statement of Potential Impact" outlining how the innovation could advance HLBS research or clinical practice. Projects must address principles of rigor and reproducibility and include a Data Management and Sharing Plan for results dissemination. NHLBI strongly encourages applicants to contact program staff to ensure alignment with funding priorities and clarify application requirements.

Applications are due on multiple annual deadlines, starting February 11, 2025, with subsequent cycles in June and October. Awards will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, milestones, investigator expertise, and institutional support. This funding opportunity aims to catalyze groundbreaking advancements in HLBS research tools, contributing to improved health outcomes and addressing critical research gaps.