This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), issued by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), seeks applications for the creation of Contraceptive Development Research Centers (CDRCs). The NOFO supports multidisciplinary approaches to developing new or improved contraceptive methods for men and women, including translational studies to bridge preclinical and clinical research. The funded Centers will serve as resources for advancing early-stage investigators in contraceptive research, emphasizing projects with high clinical impact potential. The program aligns with NICHD’s broader mission to enhance reproductive health and development through innovative research.

The NOFO specifically encourages research on non-hormonal contraceptive methods and novel delivery technologies. Priority will be given to late-stage preclinical or clinical projects, such as those focused on multipurpose prevention technologies that combine contraceptive and anti-infective properties. Examples of eligible research include pre-coital "on-demand" contraceptives, high-valency antibodies with dual functionality, and new drug delivery vehicles. Projects must provide evidence of contraceptive mechanism validation in mammalian models, ensuring translational potential. Clinical trials, investigational drug studies, and biomarker validation are within scope. Applications must demonstrate strong scientific rationale, robust methodology, and institutional support.

Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and foreign entities. NICHD encourages participation by underrepresented groups and institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applicants must ensure compliance with all NIH registration and submission guidelines, including active registrations in systems such as SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. While there are no cost-sharing requirements, applicant organizations may submit multiple scientifically distinct applications.

The funding mechanism is a grant with a total commitment of $6 million in FY 2026, funding up to three awards. Budgets must not exceed $1.3 million in direct costs per year, excluding certain indirect costs, and project durations are capped at four years. Applications must include mandatory components such as an Administrative Core, at least two Contraceptive Development Research Projects, and a minimum of three concurrent research projects throughout the grant period. Optional pilot projects and technical cores (e.g., medicinal chemistry, animal facilities) may be included to enhance research capability.

Applications must conform to NIH’s Multi-Project (M) format, adhering to page and content requirements outlined in the NOFO. A letter of intent is recommended but not required. Submission deadlines include a Letter of Intent 30 days before the application due date, with the earliest submission date being October 12, 2025. Applications are due by November 12, 2025, with reviews and awards expected in early to mid-2026.

Evaluation criteria include scientific significance, innovation, approach, investigator expertise, institutional environment, and alignment with NICHD program priorities. Strong preference will be given to projects with clear drug/device development plans, validated contraceptive mechanisms, and translational research potential. Applications outside the scope, such as those focused on post-fertilization mechanisms or traditional hormonal contraceptives, will not be reviewed.