High Throughput Enabled Structural Biology Research (U01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of the "High Throughput Enabled Structural Biology Research (U01)" funding opportunity?

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR 10-214) supports large, collaborative structural biology projects that require solving many protein structures to address a major biological question. The intent is to enable projects where determining a substantial set of related structures is essential (not optional) for meaningful progress on a broadly significant biological objective.

What makes this program different from a typical structural biology grant?

The defining feature is the high-throughput expectation and the required connection to the NIGMS Protein Structure Initiative: Biology (PSI:Biology) network. Projects are expected to be significant in scale, with plans that rely on high-throughput protein expression, purification, and structure determination pipelines, paired with investigators who bring a compelling biological problem that benefits from large-scale structure determination.

What types of projects are a good fit for this FOA?

Projects are a good fit when they are built around a clear biological objective of broad scope and require solving many protein structures to make progress. Competitive proposals would typically explain why a large set of structures is necessary, how targets will be selected and processed in a high-throughput way, and how results will drive advances on the core biological question.

Does the program require collaboration, and if so, with whom?

Yes. The program is designed to pair two complementary strengths: (1) investigators focused on an important biological problem, and (2) investigators and centers capable of high-throughput protein structure determination through the PSI:Biology network. The program emphasizes operational, real collaboration rather than standalone efforts.

What is the PSI:Biology network and why does it matter for this opportunity?

The PSI:Biology network (supported by NIGMS) represents a coordinated effort with high-throughput capabilities for protein structure determination. This FOA expects applicants to leverage that network and to integrate their work into the broader PSI:Biology initiative, including shared goals, standards, coordination, and deliverables.

What does "high throughput" mean in the context of this FOA?

In this FOA, "high throughput" refers to the ability to handle many protein targets efficiently using streamlined pipelines for expression, purification, and structure determination. Proteins selected for study should generally be well suited to standardized workflows that can process many targets effectively.

Are applicants limited to easy targets that fit existing pipelines?

No. While the FOA emphasizes targets well suited to high-throughput pipelines, it also allows targets that push the limits of existing approaches when there is strong motivation to develop or improve technology. In that case, challenging targets should be justified as drivers for method or technology advances that benefit the broader structural biology community.

What funding mechanism is used, and why is it important?

The award uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. This matters because it implies a more hands-on partnership with NIH compared to many standard research grants. NIH staff typically have substantial programmatic involvement, and awardees are expected to coordinate their activities in ways that support the broader initiative.

What does NIH involvement look like under a U01 cooperative agreement for this program?

Based on the FOA description, funded principal investigators are expected to work collaboratively with other network investigators and NIH staff to help manage and shape the overall PSI:Biology effort. The project is expected to contribute to a coordinated, multi-site program rather than operate independently.

Are funded investigators required to participate in any network governance or committees?

Yes. Funded principal investigators are expected to join the PSI:Biology Network Steering Committee and collaborate with other network investigators and NIH staff as part of coordinated oversight and planning.

Is there a set budget limit or fixed project period for this opportunity?

No. The FOA states that funding levels, budgets, and project periods will vary based on the nature and scope of the proposed work. The total amount awarded and the number of awards depend on the number of applications received and their scientific quality, duration, and requested costs.

How is the number of awards determined?

The FOA indicates the number of awards is not fixed in advance. Awards depend on the quantity of applications received and, more importantly, their scientific quality, duration, and requested costs.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA explicitly notes there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and many government entities (including state, county, and city or township governments).

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes tribal governments and tribal organizations among eligible applicants.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions as eligible.

Are HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, and other designated institutions eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and other similar institution types.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicants.

Can for-profit organizations apply?

Yes. The FOA includes for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not small businesses.

What funding activity area and CFDA number are associated with this opportunity?

The funding activity area is Health. The program is associated with CFDA number 93.859 (Biomedical Research and Research Training).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 10-214.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

When was this opportunity posted, and what dates are provided?

The opportunity was posted on June 10, 2010. The source information provided lists an original closing date of September 7, 2013, and an archive date of April 24, 2011.

Where was the full announcement made available?

The FOA was made available through the NIH grants guide.

Who should be contacted for access or technical issues?

For access or technical issues, the notice directs applicants to contact the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster.

What should a strong application emphasize under this FOA?

Based on the FOA description, a strong application would typically: (1) define a high-impact biological problem; (2) justify why many structures are required to solve it; (3) present a credible high-throughput plan for target selection, production, and structure determination; (4) demonstrate real collaboration with PSI:Biology high-throughput teams; and (5) show how the work will integrate into the PSI:Biology network environment, including Steering Committee participation.