Continuation and Expansion of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank for Translational Research (U24)
🏛 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA (HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and biomedical research organizations seeking to expand the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB). Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, cancer research institutions, and organizations with expertise in biospecimen collection and management. The project must advance malignant mesothelioma research through biospecimen collection, clinical data integration, and resource sharing for the research community.
Geographic scope is national. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to collect and maintain tissue samples, demographic data, and clinical information from mesothelioma patients. The NMVB serves as a virtual repository supporting biomarker development, early disease detection, and treatment innovation.
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Key dates
- Jul 22, 2026 Applications open
- Nov 2, 2026 Application deadline in 96 days
- Aug 1, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) was established in 2006 to serve as a resource for malignant mesothelioma research. This funding opportunity will advance biomedical research for malignant mesothelioma by adding more biospecimens together with demographic data and clinical data.
Examples of biospecimens include fresh frozen tumor and control tissues, paraffin embedded tissues, blood, DNA, RNA, and protein samples from mesothelioma patients. Demographic data includes age, sex, race, and occupational history. Clinical data includes stage, treatment, and survival information.
The virtual registry and tissue bank also serve as a virtual repository and offer a library of biospecimens and data that investigators can use and share, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
The NMVB can:
- Help identify early signs of disease.
- Support the development of biomarkers that show disease stage and prognosis.
- Help develop new or improved treatment options.
The goal is to continue to expand the NMVB and improve its ability to be a resource for both biomedical researchers and the clinical science community focused on malignant mesothelioma research.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (application cover form)
- Project narrative/research plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Letters of support/commitment from partnering institutions
- Evidence of organizational capacity for biospecimen management
- Data sharing and quality assurance protocols
Program contact
- 👤 Bridgette Garrett, PhD, Scientific Program Official
- 📧 bgarrett@cdc.gov
- 📞 770-488-5715
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.262 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$119,835,396
-
$84,316,965
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$32,293,512
-
$31,307,359
-
$31,273,504
-
$31,109,864
-
$30,624,479
-
$30,094,184
-
$29,920,153
-
$29,746,441
Top States by Funding
- NY 22 awards $229.1M
- MD 3 awards $121.4M
- CA 6 awards $109.6M
- MA 6 awards $80.8M
- MI 3 awards $76.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.262). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $130,993,880 | |
| 2025 | $127,849,749 | |
| 2026 est. | $113,003,523 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Academic institutions, research hospitals, and organizations with established mesothelioma research infrastructure can apply. Applicants must have capacity for biospecimen collection and curation.
What are the funding amounts and timeline?
Awards range from $750,000 to $1,100,000. The deadline is November 2, 2026. Projects typically run 2-5 years based on cooperative agreement structure.
What activities are supported?
Funding supports expanding biospecimen collection, managing tissue and blood samples, integrating clinical and demographic data, and developing the virtual bank as a shared research resource.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this award. Costs are fully funded by CDC.
How competitive is this grant?
With $5.5 million total funding across multiple awards, competition is moderate. Strong applications demonstrate established mesothelioma research networks and sustainable biospecimen collection infrastructure.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your institution's current biospecimen collection capacity and track record. Show existing infrastructure and partnerships.
- Detail your plan to recruit diverse patient populations. Include occupational history data collection from mesothelioma patients.
- Highlight how the expanded bank will serve the research community. Propose mechanisms for data and sample sharing.
- Address sustainability beyond the grant period. Show institutional commitment and potential funding sources for long-term operations.
- Demonstrate expertise in biospecimen handling, storage, and quality assurance protocols. Include personnel with relevant laboratory credentials.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak biospecimen collection plan or limited evidence of current infrastructure. Failure to address how demographic and clinical data will be integrated with samples. Unclear sustainability strategy for ongoing maintenance and expansion after funding ends.
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