Limited Competition: NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources (MSR) for Structural Biology (P30 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and organizations seeking to support mature synchrotron resources for structural biology research. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, research universities, and non-profit research institutions with existing synchrotron radiation facilities that serve the broader biomedical research community. The program supports the operation and improvement of P30 shared resource centers at synchrotron beamlines dedicated to structural biology applications. This is a limited competition mechanism, meaning only institutions meeting specific pre-qualification criteria are invited to apply. The grant supports infrastructure, staffing, and operational costs for maintaining accessible synchrotron resources that enable NIH-funded structural biology research nationwide.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Aug 31, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
- Oct 2, 2028 Application deadline in 722 days
Program description
The NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources for Structural Biology program supports mature technologies at synchrotron facilities that provide biomedical researchers with state-of-the-art X-ray beamlines, hands-on user training, and expert assistance to generate and analyze structural biology data. NIGMS intends to reissue a Notice of Funding Opportunity to continue to support these important national resources.
This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project narrative and specific aims (typically 12-15 pages)
- Detailed budget and budget justification for all costs
- Biosketches of key personnel (PD/PI and other senior staff)
- Letters of support from institutional leadership and active synchrotron facility users
- Facility description and documentation of current operations
- Data on facility utilization, user statistics, and impact metrics
- Institutional commitment letter demonstrating ongoing support for the facility
Program contact
- 👤 MSR P30
- 📧 MSRP30Mailbox@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.859 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$77,061,081
-
$65,300,599
-
$64,096,874
-
$62,932,780
-
$59,464,779
-
$58,957,560
-
$57,271,194
-
$56,978,109
-
$56,938,161
-
$56,890,714
Top States by Funding
- OK 6 awards $211.9M
- NY 6 awards $193.6M
- DE 5 awards $192.3M
- CA 6 awards $186.3M
- ME 5 awards $169.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.859). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,085,929,426 | |
| 2025 | $3,092,472,727 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,093,422,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this MSR grant?
Only institutions with established synchrotron radiation facilities currently supporting structural biology research are eligible. This is a limited competition, so institutions must typically be nominated or pre-qualified by NIGMS before applying. Academic research institutions, medical centers, and non-profit organizations with recognized synchrotron beamlines may be invited.
What activities and costs does this grant support?
The grant supports operation and maintenance of mature synchrotron beamlines, personnel costs for scientific staff and beamline operations, equipment and facility improvements, and user support services for the broader research community. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism.
What is the typical funding level for P30 Shared Resources grants?
P30 grant awards for synchrotron resources typically range from $400,000 to over $1 million annually, though amounts vary based on the scope and maturity of the facility. Multi-year funding is standard.
How competitive is this grant and what makes applications stand out?
Limited competition mechanisms are generally less competitive than open grants, but applications must demonstrate substantial user demand, strong institutional support, and clear plans for serving the national research community. Strong track records of supporting NIH-funded researchers are advantageous.
When is the application deadline?
The application opens December 8, 2025. Consult the NIH grants portal or NIGMS website for the specific submission deadline and any required letters of intent, as deadlines vary for limited competition announcements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your synchrotron facility's user base and track record of supporting NIH-funded structural biology research. Include data on numbers of users served, publications generated, and diversity of research disciplines supported.
- Clearly articulate the scientific need for sustained synchrotron resources in structural biology and how your facility addresses gaps in national research infrastructure.
- Develop a detailed operational plan showing how grant funds will be used for staffing, maintenance, and user support. Include letters of support from active users demonstrating the facility's value to the research community.
- Address facility sustainability beyond the grant period, including institutional commitment to ongoing operations and plans for future modernization or capital improvements.
- Highlight innovations in beamline capabilities, automation, data management, or user accessibility that differentiate your facility and enhance its value to the structural biology community.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they underestimate the importance of demonstrating strong institutional commitment to the synchrotron facility, both in terms of financial and personnel support. Another common weakness is insufficient documentation of user demand and community impact—reviewers expect robust data on facility utilization, user diversity, and resulting publications. Finally, applicants sometimes provide vague operational plans that lack specific details about staffing levels, maintenance schedules, and how grant funds will directly support user access and research excellence.
Similar grants
- OPEN NIGMS National and Regional Resources (R24 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN KUH P30 Resource Core Center (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN NIAMS P30 Centers Program (P30 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Genomic Community Resources (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health