Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 26 040
Apply for PAR 26 040
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-03-05.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (PAR 26-040) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement led by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to support research projects that push the boundaries of biomedical data science. The focus is on innovative, methodologically strong work in bioinformatics, translational bioinformatics, and computational biology that results in new or substantially improved approaches for turning complex biological and biomedical data into useful knowledge. At its core, the program is meant to accelerate development and real-world implementation of advanced computational methods, tools, and platforms that can reshape how researchers analyze and integrate modern life science data.
The scientific emphasis reflects a growing reality in biomedicine: datasets are larger, more varied, and more complicated than ever, spanning multiple dimensions such as molecular data, clinical information, imaging, and other high-throughput or high-content sources. NLM is explicitly encouraging applicants to leverage transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as large-scale computing environments, to extract actionable insights from these data. The underlying expectation is that improved computational methods will strengthen interpretation, integration, and translation of multi-source biomedical data, ultimately supporting better decisions and outcomes for both individual patients and broader populations.
This is an R01 research project grant, and the notice indicates that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose clinical trial-related research if it fits the project goals, but a clinical trial is not required. The funding opportunity is categorized under health research (CFDA 93.879) and is listed as a discretionary grant program. While the announcement text is centered on innovation in computational approaches, the practical intent is to fund work that moves beyond incremental improvements and delivers tools or methods that meaningfully advance the field, especially where traditional analytic strategies struggle with scale, heterogeneity, or complexity.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. 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 and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities identified in the full NOFO. The announcement also makes clear that non-U.S. organizations may apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them) are allowed, which opens the door to international participation under certain structures.
A key compliance point concerns international collaborations that involve money flowing to foreign entities. NIH policy effective May 1, 2025 states that NIH will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that include foreign subawards or subcontracts unless the application is submitted under a funding opportunity that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. For this particular NOFO, any application that includes foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding. That said, the policy does not ban all international involvement: it still allows unfunded international collaborations, foreign components (as applicable under NIH rules), paying foreign consultants, and purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors. The practical takeaway is that applicants need to structure international work carefully, avoiding any arrangement that would be interpreted as a foreign subaward or subcontract under this NOFO.
Administratively, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $250,000 and anticipates around 10 awards. The posting includes an original closing date of March 5, 2029, indicating a multi-year window for submission cycles consistent with NIH practices for standing program announcements. Because NIH requirements and specifics can vary by cycle and by the detailed language in the funding announcement, applicants are directed to consult Section III (Eligibility Information) and the rest of the NOFO for the authoritative rules on who can apply and how collaborations must be structured.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and ID of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and the funding announcement number is PAR 26-040.
Which agency leads this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement led by the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
What is the main purpose of PAR 26-040?
The program is intended to support research projects that push the boundaries of biomedical data science by creating new or substantially improved computational approaches for turning complex biological and biomedical data into useful knowledge. A major goal is to accelerate the development and real-world implementation of advanced computational methods, tools, and platforms that can reshape how modern life science data are analyzed and integrated.
What scientific areas does this NOFO emphasize?
The scientific focus is on innovative, methodologically strong work in:
- Bioinformatics
- Translational bioinformatics
- Computational biology
The emphasis is on work that meaningfully advances the field rather than providing only incremental improvements.
What types of data challenges is this program trying to address?
The announcement highlights that biomedical datasets are increasingly large, varied, and complex. It specifically points to data spanning multiple dimensions, such as molecular data, clinical information, imaging, and other high-throughput or high-content sources. The program expects proposed methods to strengthen interpretation, integration, and translation across these multi-source datasets, especially where traditional analytic strategies struggle with scale, heterogeneity, or complexity.
Are AI and machine learning approaches encouraged?
Yes. NLM explicitly encourages applicants to leverage transformative technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as large-scale computing environments, to extract actionable insights from complex biomedical data.
What is the activity code and grant mechanism for this opportunity?
This is an R01 research project grant.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this opportunity. Applicants may propose clinical trial-related research if it fits the project goals, but a clinical trial is not required.
How is this opportunity categorized (program type / assistance listing)?
The opportunity is categorized under health research and references CFDA 93.879. It is listed as a discretionary grant program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. The eligible applicant types listed include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- 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
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other eligible entities identified in the full NOFO
Can non-U.S. organizations apply?
Yes. The announcement states that non-U.S. organizations may apply.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement indicates that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible.
Are foreign components allowed?
Yes. The announcement indicates that foreign components (as NIH defines them) are allowed.
What is the key NIH compliance rule about foreign subawards and subcontracts for this NOFO?
The announcement highlights an NIH policy effective May 1, 2025: NIH will not issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that include foreign subawards or subcontracts unless the application is submitted under a funding opportunity specifically designated for funded international collaborations.
For this particular NOFO (PAR 26-040), any application that includes foreign subawards or foreign subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding.
Does this NOFO prohibit all international collaboration?
No. While foreign subawards/subcontracts are not allowed under this NOFO, the announcement notes that the policy still allows certain types of international involvement, including:
- Unfunded international collaborations
- Foreign components (as applicable under NIH rules)
- Paying foreign consultants
- Purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors
The practical takeaway is that international work must be structured carefully to avoid creating a foreign subaward or subcontract arrangement under this NOFO.
What happens if an application includes a foreign subaward or subcontract?
Based on the information provided, the application would be considered noncompliant and would not be reviewed for funding under this NOFO.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The posting lists an award ceiling of $250,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates around 10 awards.
What is the original closing date shown in the posting?
The posting includes an original closing date of March 5, 2029, suggesting a multi-year window for submission cycles consistent with NIH practices for standing program announcements.
Where should applicants look for the authoritative eligibility and application rules?
The information provided directs applicants to consult Section III (Eligibility Information) and the rest of the full NOFO for the authoritative rules on who can apply and how collaborations must be structured.
What types of project outcomes does the program appear to prioritize?
Based on the description, the program prioritizes advanced computational methods, tools, and platforms that move beyond incremental progress and deliver meaningful advances in how complex biological and biomedical data are interpreted, integrated, and translated into actionable knowledge, with an eye toward improving decisions and outcomes for patients and populations.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Single Source for Continuation of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) in Common Metabolic Diseases (CMD) Knowledge Portal (U01 Research Project (Cooperative Agreement) Clinical Trial not allowed)
Previous opportunity: Research Grants in Clinical Informatics (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 26 040
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 26 040) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Single Source for Continuation of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) in Common Metabolic Diseases (CMD) Knowledge Portal (U01 Research Project (Cooperative Agreement) Clinical Trial not allowed) Apply for RFA DK 26 313 Funding Number: RFA DK 26 313 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Early-Stage Dissemination and Implementation Research in Communication Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DC 26 001 Funding Number: RFA DC 26 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Centers for Cryo-electron Tomography (cryoET) (R24 -Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 26 138 Funding Number: PAR 26 138 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Collaborative Research Facilities or Research-Resource Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 26 106 Funding Number: PAR 26 106 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 26 134 Funding Number: PAR 26 134 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Impact of Initial Influenza Exposure on Immunity in Infants (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 27 019 Funding Number: RFA AI 27 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program Apply for SM 26 001 Funding Number: SM 26 001 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems Apply for SM 26 008 Funding Number: SM 26 008 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Children's Mental Health Initiative Apply for SM 26 013 Funding Number: SM 26 013 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Apply for CMS 2V2 26 001 Funding Number: CMS 2V2 26 001 Agency: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Advancing Global Health Apply for DFOP0017890 Funding Number: DFOP0017890 Agency: Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000,000 |
| Make America Healthy Again – Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence Apply for CMS 2W2 27 001 Funding Number: CMS 2W2 27 001 Agency: Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,300,000 |
| Clinical Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 27 012 Funding Number: PAR 27 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Single-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 27 011 Funding Number: PAR 27 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Data Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative U24 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 27 013 Funding Number: PAR 27 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Delta Health Care Service Grant Program Apply for RDBCP DHCS 2026 Funding Number: RDBCP DHCS 2026 Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Title X Family Planning Services Grants Apply for PA FPH 27 001 Funding Number: PA FPH 27 001 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $22,000,000 |
| Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (U01) Apply for RFA OH 26 001 Funding Number: RFA OH 26 001 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Community-Based Participatory Research to Advance Data and Practice Transformation (ADAPT) for Optimizing Oral Health for All (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 27 015 Funding Number: PAR 27 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Limited Competition: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers 2027 (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 27 012 Funding Number: RFA HD 27 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 26 040", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.