Catalyze: Enabling Technologies and Transformative Platforms for HLBS Research (R33 – Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research institutions seeking to develop innovative enabling technologies and transformative platforms that advance Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep (HLBS) research. Typically eligible applicants include investigators at NIH-grantee institutions, research universities, medical schools, and federally qualified health centers. The R33 mechanism specifically supports researchers who have completed preliminary work (often via an R21) and are ready to conduct larger-scale technology development and validation studies. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism. Both domestic for-profit and nonprofit organizations may apply, though the scope must focus on technology platform development rather than direct clinical implementation. Investigators must have appropriate institutional support and a valid ORCiD identifier.
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Program description
The goal of the NHLBI Catalyze Program is to provide a comprehensive suite of support and services to facilitate the transition of basic science discoveries into viable diagnostic and therapeutic candidates that have been cleared for human testing, and to develop translational researchers fluent in product development and entrepreneurship. This specific Catalyze Enabling Technologies and Transformative Platforms initiative will support needed to rigorously validate transformative, multi-use platforms or technologies that can enable. Well-suited applications must offer the potential to significantly accelerate and/or transform the areas of
early detection and screening, model development, clinical diagnosis, treatment, control, behavior, prevention or epidemiology. Proposed platforms and technologies may have widespread applicability but must be able to improve the outlook for HLBS-related diseases and disorders.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form and cover letter
- Project narrative (typically 15 pages for R33)
- Specific aims and research strategy
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches (NIH format) for key personnel
- Resources and environment description
- Letters of support from collaborating institutions or industry partners
- Preliminary data and feasibility documentation
- IRB/IACUC approval documentation (if applicable)
- Institutional commitment letter
- Publication list and/or prior grant reports demonstrating preliminary work
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.839 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$70,347,724
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$28,221,244
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$26,367,044
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$26,196,066
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$24,828,830
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$22,197,349
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$20,132,449
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$18,556,003
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$17,136,580
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$16,771,574
Top States by Funding
- MA 15 awards $153.6M
- WI 6 awards $113.6M
- PA 13 awards $111.9M
- CA 9 awards $110.4M
- NY 8 awards $77.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.839). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $431,558,338 | |
| 2025 | $425,332,322 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for an R33 grant from NIH?
Typically, researchers with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DO, or equivalent) affiliated with eligible institutions, including universities, medical schools, and research centers. Non-federal employees as well as federal employees may apply. For-profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible.
What is the deadline and application timeline?
The application opening date is November 22, 2024, with a fixed deadline of December 23, 2027. This is a longer-term opportunity with a single submission window.
What activities and research areas does this grant support?
This grant funds technology development and validation studies focused on Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep (HLBS) research. Activities include developing enabling technologies, creating transformative platforms, conducting proof-of-concept studies, and technology validation. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed.
How competitive is this funding opportunity?
R33 grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success typically requires strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and a well-justified pathway to impact. Scores based on scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the proposed technological advancement.
What is the typical funding amount?
R33 grants typically support projects with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $500,000+ over multiple years, depending on the scope of technology development. Budget must be reasonable and well-justified for the proposed work.
Can clinical trials be included in this grant?
No. The R33 mechanism explicitly excludes clinical trials. The focus must be on technology development, validation, and proof-of-concept studies in laboratory or preclinical settings.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build on preliminary data: R33 grants strongly favor applications that demonstrate prior progress or pilot work. If you completed an R21 or similar exploratory grant, highlight those results prominently. If not, show preliminary evidence from other sources that your technology concept is sound.
- Emphasize innovation and impact: Clearly articulate what makes your enabling technology or platform transformative. How does it solve a significant problem in HLBS research? What will researchers be able to do that they cannot do today?
- Detail the development and validation plan: Provide a realistic, well-staged roadmap that distinguishes between technology development phases and validation milestones. Include clear go/no-go decision points and contingency plans.
- Address commercialization or dissemination potential: Even though clinical trials are excluded, NIH values technologies with clear pathways to broader adoption and impact. Discuss how the platform could benefit the research community or eventually reach patients.
- Ensure institutional support and compliance: Verify that your institution has appropriate research infrastructure, IRB/IACUC oversight capability (as applicable), and biosafety resources. Obtain strong letters of support from department leadership and collaborators.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many R33 applications fail because they lack sufficiently strong preliminary data or jump directly to clinical applications without completing required technology development and validation phases. Reviewers also frequently reject proposals that do not clearly differentiate the R33 phase from prior R21 or exploratory work, resulting in confusion about what new progress is being proposed. Additionally, applications are often rejected when they attempt to disguise clinical trial activities or patient-oriented research as technology development.
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