The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) is reissuing its funding opportunity for the establishment of Biomedical Technology Optimization and Dissemination (BTOD) Centers under FOA number PAR-23-110. These Centers aim to optimize advanced biomedical technologies and promote their sustainable dissemination for broader use within the biomedical research community. Intended to support late-stage technological refinement, the program seeks to create a bridge between technology development and widespread accessibility, providing resources for developing tools that facilitate diverse biomedical research initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to consult NIGMS staff for guidance on aligning project goals with NIGMS’s mission.

Applications are due annually, with upcoming submission deadlines on January 26, 2024; May 29, 2024; and recurring dates through January 27, 2026. Funding decisions are based on the availability of NIH appropriations, and selected projects can receive up to $850,000 annually in direct costs, excluding certain expenses like equipment, which may be requested separately. The maximum project duration is five years, and BTOD Centers are generally supported for a cumulative 15-year period. Applications requesting budgets above this limit will not be reviewed.

BTOD Centers will be structured around core components: Technology Optimization Projects (TOPs), Driving Biomedical Projects (DBPs), and Community Engagement (CE) initiatives. TOPs focus on optimizing technologies to support broader adoption across biomedical fields, while DBPs serve as collaborative research projects that test and refine the technologies within real-world applications. DBPs must address significant biomedical research questions and are intended to be diverse, both scientifically and institutionally, including collaborations with under-resourced institutions when possible. The CE component is crucial to training researchers, sharing best practices, and increasing the reach and impact of the optimized technologies.

Community engagement activities include developing a robust online presence, hosting hands-on workshops, and creating accessible resources like tutorials. Centers are encouraged to establish collaborations that advance geographic, institutional, and demographic diversity, aligning with NIH’s inclusivity goals. Centers must have a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) to ensure broad involvement across various research sectors, with a focus on fostering diversity in both personnel and institutional partnerships.

An External Advisory Committee (EAC) will monitor each Center’s progress and provide annual recommendations. This committee should include representatives from lesser-resourced institutions to bring varied perspectives. Centers transitioning from prior NIGMS-funded initiatives, such as Biomedical Technology Development and Dissemination (BTDD) Centers, must include progress updates on prior achievements, including publications, collaborative projects, and commercialization outcomes.

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions, higher education institutions (including minority-serving institutions), nonprofits, and certain government entities. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply directly but may participate as components of U.S.-based organizations. Required application registrations include SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, and program directors must dedicate a minimum of three person-months to Center activities.

Applications will be evaluated on significance, innovation, the approach to technology optimization, and the extent to which they align with NIGMS’s goals of enhancing the diversity and inclusivity of the biomedical research workforce.