Partnerships for Advancing Development of Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic institutions and small businesses developing diagnostic tests for infectious diseases. Applicants must partner with one or more industrial partners who bring commercial expertise and development capacity. The project must demonstrate proof-of-concept for a novel diagnostic and focus on translating research toward commercialization.
Projects should address gaps in infectious disease detection, outbreak identification, or vaccine/treatment evaluation. Partnerships bring together early-stage diagnostic researchers with experienced industry developers. Cooperative agreements include annual meetings and science advisory board oversight.
Geographic scope is national. Both nonprofit institutions and small businesses may apply as lead investigators. Industrial partners strengthen competitiveness.
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Key dates
- Sep 24, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 14, 2027 Application deadline in 360 days
- Jul 1, 2028 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance its mission by supporting partnerships between academic (or small business) investigators and one or more industrial partner(s) for translational development of a diagnostic test that has demonstrated proof-of-concept. Novel diagnostics are needed to implement treatment strategies, evaluate vaccines and identify infectious disease outbreaks, but too often, early diagnostic breakthroughs are not being translated into successful commercial products. Investigators often develop promising diagnostics but then face barriers when navigating the process towards commercialization. The goal is to align investigators with experienced industry partners early in the development process, to enable early de-risking and ensure that the end-product will be fit for purpose. A science advisory board together with NIAID oversight will help maintain the focus of projects. Annual meetings and workshops will foster collaborations and knowledge exchange with biotech/industry developers, and other investigators in the early diagnostic space. This partnership concept aligns with NIH’s mission to support the translation of the most promising diagnostic technologies to better treat and prevent infectious diseases. 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
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Cover Sheet
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch for all key personnel
- Letters of Support from industry partners
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- NIH Biographical Sketches
- Conflict of Interest Disclosures
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) Diagnostics Partnerships
- 📧 DMIDDiagnosticsPartnerships@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
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$201,437,825
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$197,316,803
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$180,737,624
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$147,765,880
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$116,817,868
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$93,394,862
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$89,845,851
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$85,436,674
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$84,525,882
Top States by Funding
- CA 9 awards $818.0M
- MA 6 awards $616.6M
- NY 8 awards $420.5M
- TX 3 awards $292.4M
- GA 5 awards $265.7M
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
What types of organizations can apply?
Academic institutions and small businesses can be lead applicants. You must partner with one or more industrial partners. Government agencies may have specific partnership requirements.
What does "proof-of-concept" mean for this grant?
Your diagnostic should show preliminary evidence that the concept works. It doesn't need to be market-ready, but viability must be demonstrated.
Why is an industry partner required?
Partners provide commercial development expertise and de-risking. They help ensure the diagnostic is practical and commercially viable from the start.
What's the role of the science advisory board?
The board provides oversight and guidance on project direction. It helps maintain focus on translational development goals.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is fixed for October 14, 2027. No rolling deadlines are announced for this cycle.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish your industry partnership before submitting. Strong, committed partners significantly strengthen competitiveness.
- Show how your team has worked with industry before if possible. Track records of translation increase credibility.
- Be specific about barriers you faced in commercialization. Explain how your industry partner will address them.
- Demonstrate proof-of-concept with preliminary data. Vague claims won't convince reviewers.
- Highlight what makes your diagnostic novel and needed. Show market demand or unmet clinical need.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without a committed industry partner or with a partner lacking relevant development experience. Submitting diagnostics still in basic research stages without proof-of-concept data. Failing to explain the specific translation barriers and how the partnership addresses them.
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