The "Modern Equipment for Shared-use Biomedical Research Facilities: Advancing Research-Related Operations" (PAR-24-259) is a funding opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the modernization and enhancement of research-supporting operations at shared biomedical research facilities. Using the S15 grant mechanism, this program aims to improve the efficiency and infrastructure of laboratory research core facilities, animal research facilities, and other shared-use spaces critical to biomedical research. The grant does not support the purchase of scientific research instruments, their components, or building-level infrastructure equipment that only indirectly supports research activities. Clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity.

Eligible applicants include a variety of organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Native American tribal entities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. The program also encourages participation from minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Foreign entities and non-domestic components of U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply, and foreign components are not permitted.

The grant targets the acquisition of modern equipment that can directly enhance the operational capabilities of shared biomedical research facilities. The focus is on equipment that will strengthen auxiliary research activities, such as systems for environmental monitoring, data management, or workflow automation within core facilities and other shared spaces. The goal is to support institutions in upgrading their infrastructure to meet current research demands, thereby enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of the research conducted.

The funding opportunity provides up to $350,000 in direct costs, with a cost-sharing requirement, meaning that applicants must contribute a portion of the funding for the equipment purchase. This shared funding model aims to maximize the impact of the grant and ensure institutional commitment to the modernization efforts. Proposals should detail how the new equipment will be integrated into existing operations, the anticipated improvements in research efficiency, and the potential benefits to the broader research community served by the facility.

Applications are due by September 25, 2026, providing a considerable period for institutions to develop well-planned proposals. This extended window allows time for thoughtful integration of the equipment into existing facilities and alignment with the NIH's goal of enhancing research support infrastructure.