Microplastics Research and Resource Coordination Center (U24 – 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 establishing a new coordinating center to lead multidisciplinary research on the health effects of micro/nanoplastics. Eligible applicants are biomedical and material science institutions that can coordinate research collaboration across the M/NP field. Institutions must have capacity to develop standardization protocols, manage data harmonization, and disseminate experimental standards. The center will provide leadership in M/NP research and promote best practices across the research community.
Applicants should have expertise in sampling methodologies, analytical techniques, or biomedical research related to micro/nanoplastics. The institution will lead coordination efforts, not conduct primary research independently. NIH will fund one center through a cooperative agreement mechanism.
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Key dates
- Jun 29, 2026 Applications open
- Dec 1, 2026 Application deadline in 138 days
- Sep 1, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The goal of the Micro/Nanoplastics (M/NPs) Research and Resource Coordination Center initiative is to establish a robust center that will coordinate and advance multidisciplinary efforts among biomedical and material science researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the health effects of M/NPs. This coordination center will accelerate the development and dissemination of sampling and analytical standardization, data harmonization, and distribution of experimental standards across the field of M/NPs research. The established coordination center will provide leadership and guidance that fosters collaboration across the M/NPs research community and promotes best practices that enhance the reliability and validity of research findings in this area. NIEHS will provide support (U24) to an eligible institution to launch a new coordination center to address the above-mentioned goals.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Institutional Commitment/Support Letters
- Letters of Collaboration from Partner Institutions
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Research Strategy or Center Plan
Program contact
- 👤 NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov
- 📧 NOFO.Information@niehs.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.113 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$200,640,187
-
$49,163,443
-
$47,446,509
-
$44,785,560
-
$33,491,440
-
$32,623,202
-
$31,263,603
-
$30,390,185
-
$30,320,471
-
$29,228,555
Top States by Funding
- NC 10 awards $369.0M
- NY 11 awards $187.6M
- CA 11 awards $177.3M
- MA 7 awards $127.8M
- MD 5 awards $52.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.113). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $445,816,844 | |
| 2025 | $465,862,818 | |
| 2026 est. | $40,301,265 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Institutions with capacity to coordinate multidisciplinary M/NP research, develop standardization protocols, and manage research networks. Strong experience in research coordination and data management is essential.
What is the funding deadline?
The deadline is December 1, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What activities does this grant support?
Establishing a coordination center that standardizes sampling and analytical methods, harmonizes data across studies, distributes experimental standards, and fosters collaboration among researchers.
Is this funding competitive?
Yes. The total pool is $2 million for one center. A strong application must demonstrate clear coordination capacity and impact on the broader M/NP research field.
What documents are typically required?
Expect to submit a project narrative, detailed budget and justification, institutional commitment letters, and evidence of research expertise in micro/nanoplastics.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with your coordination infrastructure and existing research networks in micro/nanoplastics or related materials science fields.
- Emphasize your capacity to convene researchers, standardize protocols, and manage data systems at scale.
- Include strong letters of support from key research institutions and collaborators who will engage with the center.
- Clearly define how the center will advance standardization and best practices, not just conduct research.
- Address how you will measure success through adoption of standards and collaboration across the field.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail to clearly differentiate the coordination center mission from independent research. Weak plans for standardization and data harmonization implementation. Insufficient documentation of existing research networks and collaboration capacity.
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