Improved Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) for Mycobacteria
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations developing improved drug susceptibility tests for mycobacterial drugs. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses with research capacity. The grant supports testing innovations for tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria drugs, including new and investigational drugs. Work can occur at any US location or internationally affiliated institution.
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Key dates
- Jun 24, 2026 Applications open
- May 28, 2027 Application deadline in 314 days
- Jun 1, 2028 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance its mission by supporting research to develop improved drug susceptibility tests (DSTs) for mycobacterial drugs, including those currently used for treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and clinically important non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections, new drugs and drugs in late-stage clinical development. TB is a leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide and drug-resistant strains of TB, including those resistant to new drug regimens, are increasing. In the United States, rates of NTM lung disease are rising, especially among women and older adults, while TB cases have surged to their highest level in ten years. Current assays utilize slow, culture-based processes that do not allow for the rapid testing of mycobacterial strains and their drug susceptibility. Improved DSTs are essential for guiding effective treatment, reducing drug-resistant mycobacterial rates, and preventing new transmissions. This program will support the development of innovative DST assays, including rapid genotypic and improved phenotypic methods that do not require full culture growth. 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
- R01 or R21 application forms (SF-424 series)
- Project Narrative and Specific Aims
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch of key personnel
- Preliminary data/feasibility studies
- References and support letters
Program contact
- 👤 NIAID DST (Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases)
- 📧 NIAIDDST@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via email.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.855 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$246,626,852
-
$201,437,825
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$185,816,804
-
$180,737,624
-
$136,265,880
-
$116,817,868
-
$93,394,862
-
$89,845,851
-
$74,456,241
-
$72,987,380
Top States by Funding
- CA 8 awards $696.2M
- MA 6 awards $602.8M
- NY 6 awards $335.0M
- TX 3 awards $280.9M
- GA 5 awards $257.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.855). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,073,812,529 | |
| 2025 | $4,378,235,639 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,299,426,996 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and small businesses with research expertise are eligible. Institutions must have demonstrated capacity to conduct mycobacteriology research and drug testing.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects developing rapid or improved drug susceptibility test methods for TB and NTM drugs. Both genotypic and phenotypic approaches are supported.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is May 28, 2027. Plan to submit well before that date.
What's the typical funding amount?
The total funding pool is $3,000,000. Individual award amounts vary based on project scope and reviewer assessment.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on rapid or innovative testing methods that reduce culture time. Speed and clinical applicability are high priorities.
- Demonstrate understanding of current DST limitations and how your approach solves real clinical gaps in TB and NTM diagnosis.
- Include preliminary data showing feasibility of your method. Reviewers expect evidence of technical progress before full funding.
- Emphasize how faster DSTs prevent drug resistance and improve patient outcomes. Connect science to public health impact.
- Budget for multi-year development since assay validation and clinical implementation take time. Plan realistic timelines.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that lack preliminary data or focus too heavily on basic science without clear path to clinical implementation often fail. Applications missing specific drug targets or NTM coverage details don't address the full scope of the RFP.
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