Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet):Technology Projects (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations, academic institutions, and eligible nonprofits seeking funding to develop and advance technologies that support the study of cellular senescence. The NIH SenNet program supports UG3/UH3 stage funding for exploratory research and early-stage technology development, excluding clinical trials. Applicants must be in the United States and typically include universities, research hospitals, medical centers, and research-focused 501(c)(3) organizations. The program supports projects that contribute to understanding cellular senescence across diverse cell types and tissues, with preference for research that integrates interdisciplinary approaches and has potential for broad applicability in aging and age-related disease research.
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Key dates
- May 28, 2025 Applications open
- Dec 9, 2025 Application deadline
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The NIH Common Fund, National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute and additional NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) intend to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for Stage 2 of the Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet) Program, which seeks to understand the biological consequences of senescent cell heterogeneity in health and disease, identify and characterize tissue-specific senescence markers in human biospecimens to facilitate the development of senotherapeutic strategies that improve health outcomes. The program’s Senescence Technology Projects (SenTecs) will develop innovative tools and technologies that consider the complex nature of senescence to facilitate identification, characterization and targeting of senotypes in vivo. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the UG3/UH3 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into the cellular senescence impact on human health, the development of technologies and computational tools to identify and characterize senescent cells and inform novel approaches for the strategic targeting of senescent cells in vivo are encouraged to apply in response to these new NOFOs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 R&R (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (not to exceed page limits specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches for Project Director and key personnel (typically limited to 5 pages each)
- Facilities and Resources documentation
- Letters of Institutional Support and Commitment
- Letters of Collaboration from partner organizations (if applicable)
- Research Plan with specific aims, significance, and innovation sections
- Timeline with project milestones and go/no-go decision points
- Data Management and Sharing Plan (required by NIH)
Program contact
- 👤 Ajay Pillai Office of Strategic Coordination, DPCPSI, OD
- 📧 ajay.pillai3@nih.gov
- 📞 301-538-4811
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$973,507,476
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$383,462,829
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,737,926
-
$169,422,678
-
$167,922,818
-
$147,947,250
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$143,679,156
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$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
Top States by Funding
- CA 3 awards $1,196.2M
- NC 4 awards $446.1M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $317.4M
- NY 4 awards $261.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
U.S.-based academic institutions, research hospitals, universities, and eligible nonprofits with established research infrastructure are typically eligible. Applicants must have the institutional capacity to conduct NIH-funded research.
What types of research does SenNet support?
The program supports technology development projects aimed at studying cellular senescence, including novel tools, methods, and platforms. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this announcement.
What is the difference between UG3 and UH3 phases?
UG3 (exploratory phase) typically provides 2 years of funding for proof-of-concept and technology development. UH3 (transition phase) follows successful completion and provides additional years to advance the technology toward broader utility.
What should I include in my application?
Standard components include a project narrative describing the technology and its significance, detailed budget and budget justification, biosketches of key personnel, institutional support documentation, and letters of collaboration from partner organizations if applicable.
How competitive is this program?
SenNet is a prestigious NIH program with competitive funding. Strong applications demonstrate scientific innovation, clear technical milestones, experienced research teams, and significant potential impact on cellular senescence research.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate the innovation and technical approach. Explain what makes your technology distinct from existing tools and why the senescence research community needs it.
- Focus on early-stage development and proof-of-concept. UG3/UH3 funding is designed for projects that are past initial concept but not yet fully established; show clear preliminary data supporting feasibility.
- Develop a rigorous and realistic project timeline with measurable milestones. NIH reviewers want to see specific go/no-go decision points that guide whether to advance to the next phase.
- Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and potential for broad adoption. Describe how other senescence researchers could use your technology and consider including letters of support from potential end users.
- Ensure institutional commitment is clearly documented. Include evidence that your institution provides necessary facilities, administrative support, and institutional resources for multi-year technology development.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail because they are too clinically focused or propose clinical trial components, which are explicitly excluded. Another common issue is insufficient preliminary data or proof-of-concept; reviewers need convincing evidence that the proposed technology is technically feasible. Additionally, applicants sometimes underestimate the complexity of writing clear project milestones and success criteria for technology development, leading to vague proposals that reviewers cannot properly evaluate.
Similar grants
- CLOSED Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet): SenNet Data Coordination, Integration and Organizational Center (U24 or UM1) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet): SenNet Data Coordination and Integration Center (SenNet DCIC) (UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
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