Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10 Clinical Trial 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 research institutions that need seed funding to purchase instruments and equipment for research. Eligible applicants include universities, research hospitals, medical schools, and 501(c)(3) research organizations. The grant supports high-cost instrumentation that enables new research directions or enhances existing research capacity. This program explicitly excludes clinical trial activities, so applications must focus on basic research, preclinical work, or non-clinical translational research.
The NIH typically requires applicants to have institutional support and demonstrated research capacity. Institutions must have a Dun and Bradstreet number and be registered in SAM.gov. Applicants should have established research programs that will benefit from the requested equipment.
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Key dates
- Jun 25, 2026 Applications open
- May 1, 2027 Award announced
- May 1, 2027 Project start
- Jul 1, 2028 Application deadline in 715 days
Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to build new research capacity by supporting the purchase of a single commercially available biomedical research instrument currently unavailable in the institution. Instruments funded through this program must be shared among the users to create new research opportunities, enable reproducible data generation, encourage collaborative research and training, and strengthen long-term research capabilities. The minimum award is $50,000. While there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument, the maximum award is $400,000.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (research description and equipment justification)
- Detailed Budget with Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Equipment Cost Quotes and Specifications
- Curriculum Vitae (PI and key personnel)
- Letter of Institutional Support from Research Director
Program contact
- 👤 Xiang-Ning Li, MD, PhD
- 📧 xiang-ning.li@nih.gov
- 📞 301-435-1744
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
-
$246,626,852
-
$201,437,825
-
$185,816,804
-
$180,737,624
-
$136,265,880
-
$116,817,868
-
$93,394,862
-
$89,845,851
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$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 SIS funding?
Universities, research hospitals, medical schools, and 501(c)(3) research organizations are eligible. Your institution must be able to provide cost-sharing or matching support.
Can I use this grant to support a clinical trial?
No. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this program. Focus on basic research, preclinical studies, or non-clinical research activities.
What types of equipment can I request?
High-cost instruments and equipment that enable new research capabilities. Equipment must cost significantly more than routine laboratory supplies.
How competitive is this program?
Very competitive. Review panels prioritize applications showing strong institutional commitment and clear research impact from the new equipment.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary, but SIS programs typically support equipment purchases in the six-figure range. Check the FOA for specific information.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start by defining exactly which research programs will use the equipment. Be specific about current limitations and how the instrument solves them.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment with letters of support from department leaders and research administration. Cost-sharing strengthens competitiveness.
- Include detailed cost justification for equipment quotes. Provide specifications and vendor information.
- Show how this equipment enables new research directions or significantly enhances existing programs.
- Build a strong budget with realistic timelines for equipment purchase and installation. Plan for training and maintenance costs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications that propose equipment for clinical trials will be rejected immediately. Including clinical outcome measures automatically disqualifies the proposal. Poor cost justification or vague descriptions of how equipment will be used weakens applications significantly.
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