NIH-CASIS Coordinated Microphysiological Systems Program for Translational Research in Space (UG3/UH3) | RFA TR 16 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TR 16 019

The NIH-CASIS Coordinated Microphysiological Systems Program for Translational Research in Space (UG3/UH3) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed to push forward advanced in vitro "microphysiological systems" (often described as tissue chips or organ-on-a-chip platforms) that can model human diseases and physiological conditions in a way that closely reflects what happens in real human organs and tissues. A central feature of this opportunity is the emphasis on how these models behave under the extreme conditions of space, including the environmental stressors associated with spaceflight. The goal is not simply to build lab models, but to mature them into robust, biologically relevant platforms that can be deployed on the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory (ISS-NL). By doing so, the program aims to create experimental systems that allow researchers to evaluate biomarkers and measure key translational endpoints such as bioavailability, efficacy, and toxicity for therapeutic candidates, ideally helping to de-risk drug development decisions before those therapies advance into human clinical trials.

This opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect substantial scientific or programmatic involvement from the funding agency and partners rather than a hands-off grant structure. The activity category is health-related research, and the program structure uses the UG3/UH3 mechanism, which is commonly associated with phased, milestone-driven development. In practice, this typically supports an initial development and feasibility stage (UG3) followed by an implementation or expansion stage (UH3) once predefined performance milestones are met. The intended outcome is a coordinated set of space-relevant microphysiological platforms that are credible for translational research and practical for use in the constrained operational environment of the ISS, where considerations like automation, reliability, minimal crew time, and stable sample handling can be critical.

The scientific scope centers on building disease or condition models that recreate organ and tissue pathology and then interrogating those models in space to generate data that meaningfully informs human health and therapeutic development. The program specifically highlights the use of these systems to assess biomarkers (signals that indicate biological states or responses), bioavailability (how much of a therapeutic is available to act in the system), efficacy (whether the therapeutic produces the intended benefit), and toxicity (whether harmful effects emerge). The emphasis on space exposure suggests the program is interested in how microgravity and other spaceflight-associated factors might alter disease processes, tissue responses, drug performance, or safety signals, and how those insights can improve translation to Earth-based medicine and clinical decision-making.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions in the categories specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not permitted under this announcement. In short, the applicant organization and the work proposed under this award must remain within the allowable U.S.-based framework and cannot include foreign components as part of the funded project.

Administratively, the opportunity is identified as RFA TR 16 019, with a creation date of September 29, 2016, and an original closing date of December 15, 2016, indicating it was a time-bound solicitation rather than an open-ended program announcement. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, which signals a maximum award amount associated with this FOA; actual budgets would typically depend on the project scope, milestone plan, and the costs of preparing systems suitable for spaceflight and ISS operations. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 93.350, and the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted, milestone-driven NIH effort, coordinated with CASIS and the ISS National Lab, to create and fly sophisticated human-relevant tissue models that can strengthen preclinical evaluation of therapies by generating higher-quality efficacy and safety evidence in a unique space environment.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH-CASIS Coordinated Microphysiological Systems Program for Translational Research in Space (UG3/UH3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.350.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-09-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-12-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA TR 16 019

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