The NIH’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is offering funding under the “Miniaturization and Automation of Tissue Chip Systems” (MATChS) initiative to support small business innovation research (SBIR) for tissue chip automation. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages U.S.-based small business concerns (SBCs) to develop bench-top, automated, and miniaturized microphysiological systems (MPS) that mimic human tissue functionality. These automated MPS platforms are intended to reduce manual handling, increase throughput, and enhance the efficiency of drug testing and biomedical research, aligning with FDA's shift away from animal testing requirements. This NOFO includes both Phase I (U43) and Phase II (U44) awards, with funding intended to propel technology towards commercialization through significant milestone-driven collaboration with NIH staff.

Projects under this NOFO should focus on developing robust MPS automation, including tissue preculture, loading, real-time biosensing, and system monitoring, with the aim of enabling continuous operation and providing biologically relevant outputs for extended periods. This NOFO specifically supports advancements that make MPS more user-friendly and scalable for widespread biomedical research, focusing on system elements such as thermal control, fluid pumping, and automated data processing. NCATS emphasizes the need for collaborative development milestones, including regulatory alignment for systems ready for drug development and other research fields.

The application process is open for initial submissions on January 22, 2024, with application deadlines on February 22, 2024, and following cycles through 2026. Applicants must register through NIH’s eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and SAM, with adherence to NIH’s data-sharing policies required. Proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, innovation, and feasibility of commercialization, and milestone planning is critical, including metrics to track progress across development stages. Funding is capped at $350,000 for Phase I and $2.15 million for Phase II, and projects can span six months to two years, depending on the project phase.

Eligible applicants are U.S.-based SBCs with less than 500 employees. Only SBCs majority-owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents qualify for this SBIR funding, and all applications must be free of foreign involvement from countries deemed a security risk by NIH. Ineligible applications include those solely focused on MPS without automation/miniaturization advancements.

NIH program staff will work closely with awardees, providing scientific, technical, and administrative support, and post-award reporting is required. A letter of intent is suggested but not required by January 22, 2024, with all required submissions by February 22, 2024. Additional instructions, such as foreign affiliation disclosure, commercialization planning, and progress report submissions, apply to ensure compliance and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.