Development of Candidate Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Technologies Against Chemical or Radiation/Nuclear (CRN) Threats
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for medical research organizations developing countermeasures against chemical or radiation/nuclear threats to civilian populations. Eligible applicants include research institutions, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and nonprofit research organizations with capacity to conduct preclinical and clinical research. Projects must focus on diagnostics, treatments, or mitigation strategies for acute and delayed effects of chemical or radiation exposure during public health emergencies. This program supports federally designated threat areas under NIAID's Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) and Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP).
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Key dates
- Apr 9, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 9, 2026 Application deadline in 84 days
- Jul 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance the NIH mission by supporting research on concepts and technologies to address civilian radiation or chemical threats. Research is administered by NIAID on behalf of NIH via the Radiation and Nuclear (RNCP), and the Chemical Countermeasures (CCRP) Research Programs. A shared congressional mandate to the NIH OD (119 Stat. 2850; Public Law 109-149-Dec. 30, 2005), supports research to develop new ideas and technologies to diagnose, mitigate, and treat acute and delayed effects of radiation or chemical exposures during and after a public health emergency.
RNCP: Supports development of radiation-focused models, biomarkers of damage, devices to assess and predict injury, and products to improve survival and reduce morbidity across multiple organ systems.
CCRP: Supports preclinical work on products to mitigate and treat injuries after exposure to government-designated Chemicals of Concern. Candidates with efficacy in a post-exposure, civilian mass casualty setting are sought.
Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Form
- Project Narrative/Research Strategy
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch(es) of key personnel
- Letters of Support/Institutional Commitment
- Risk Assessment and Management Plan
- Biosafety/Biosecurity documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- 📧 RADCHEM_U01@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$204,359,786
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$128,078,833
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$126,585,435
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$99,478,296
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$79,333,238
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$78,351,755
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$74,806,844
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$71,588,047
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$61,578,651
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$50,952,037
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 4 awards $141.1M
- MD 2 awards $128.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Research institutions, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations with research capacity can apply. Applicants must have experience in medical countermeasure development or medical device research.
What types of projects does this grant support?
Projects developing diagnostics, biomarkers, medical devices, and therapeutic products against chemical or radiation exposure. Both preclinical and clinical-stage research are considered.
What is the deadline for applications?
October 9, 2026 is the current announced deadline. Check NIAID's website for updated or rolling deadlines before applying.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant. However, demonstrating institutional commitment and leveraging additional resources strengthens competitiveness.
How competitive is this funding?
This is highly competitive research funding. Applications must demonstrate scientific innovation, feasibility, and clear public health impact against designated threat scenarios.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly align your research with either RNCP (radiation focus) or CCRP (chemical focus) priorities. Misalignment is a common rejection reason.
- Emphasize civilian public health applicability and mass casualty preparedness context. Research addressing only military scenarios may be deprioritized.
- Include preliminary data demonstrating proof-of-concept or technical feasibility. Unfunded pilot work weakens applications.
- Use government-designated chemical threat lists and radiation exposure scenarios in your background. Demonstrate knowledge of current threat assessments.
- Budget realistically with detailed timelines showing clear go/no-go decision points, especially for early-stage concepts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear alignment with RNCP or CCRP program priorities. Focusing on military applications rather than civilian public health emergency response. Insufficient preliminary data or proof-of-concept for proposed technology.
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