Contraceptive Development Research Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 26 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 26 004

The Contraceptive Development Research Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA HD 26 004) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant that supports the creation of a dedicated, multidisciplinary research center focused on developing new and/or improved contraceptive methods for both men and women. The core idea is to bring together complementary expertise under a single Center structure so teams can move beyond isolated projects and instead run coordinated, programmatic research that speeds up innovation in contraception. The NOFO is designed to back efforts that meaningfully advance the contraceptive pipeline, including discovery and early development work that could lead to viable products and approaches.

A major emphasis of the opportunity is translational momentum: applicants are allowed to include translational studies that help bridge the gap from preclinical research into clinical readiness. In practice, that means the Center can support activities that de-risk a candidate method or technology and strengthen the case for clinical progression, such as refining mechanisms of action, optimizing formulations or delivery systems, improving safety or reversibility profiles, identifying biomarkers, conducting relevant preclinical models, and completing preparatory work that increases the odds of later-stage clinical success. While clinical trials are described as optional under this P50 mechanism, the program is clearly interested in structured development pathways that can realistically move contraceptive candidates forward.

Beyond producing research outputs, the Center is intended to function as a national resource for the field, particularly by helping develop early-stage investigators who want to build careers in contraceptive research. That workforce-development element is a named purpose of the NOFO, signaling that strong applications will likely show how the Center will mentor and support newer investigators through training, access to shared resources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to translational and product-development thinking. The overall goal is not only to generate new contraceptive candidates, but also to strengthen the broader ecosystem needed to sustain progress in the area over time.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed in the source include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth indicates NIH is open to a wide range of institutional models, including partnerships that combine academic, clinical, community, governmental, and industry capabilities.

Key administrative details from the posted opportunity include an original closing date of 2025-11-12 and a creation date of 2024-11-18. The funding activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services, with CFDA number 93.865. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits, project period expectations, required Center components, and review criteria. Overall, this NOFO is best understood as support for a coordinated Center-level program that can integrate discovery, development, and translational work to accelerate the creation of new contraceptive options while training the next generation of contraceptive researchers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Contraceptive Development Research Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-11-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA HD 26 004

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