Limited Competition: NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources for Structural Biology (P30) | Apply Online

FAQs: Limited Competition - NIGMS Mature Synchrotron Resources for Structural Biology (P30) (PAR-16-247)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary NIH funding opportunity from HHS/NIH, specifically the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). It supports the continued operation and sustainability of established synchrotron-based structural biology user resources through the NIH P30 center-style mechanism.

What is the main purpose of the FOA?

The core purpose is to ensure continued, reliable community access to X-ray synchrotron beamlines that support structural biology research. The emphasis is on keeping existing beamlines operating at current state-of-the-art standards for biomedical investigators.

What does "mature" mean in this FOA?

In this context, "mature" means the resource is already established and based on proven, working technologies. The FOA is not aimed at launching brand-new beamline concepts or making high-risk technology development the primary focus. Instead, it supports maintaining, operating, and incrementally upgrading existing capabilities.

Is this funding intended for high-risk research and development (R&D)?

No. The solicitation is designed to sustain and operate established resources. While implementation work, modernization, and component refreshes are within scope to keep the beamlines current, major new technology R&D or speculative development is not positioned as the main thrust of this FOA.

What kinds of activities does the FOA expect awardees to carry out?

Based on the description provided, awardees are expected to run stable, high-performing structural biology beamlines, maintain reliable operations, modernize or refresh components as needed, and keep the facility scientifically competitive through incremental upgrades and best-practice alignment.

Who is this opportunity intended to serve?

The resource is expected to function as a user facility for the broader biomedical research community, not as a closed or primarily local capability. The intent is to support community access for biomedical investigators who rely on synchrotron X-ray beamlines for structural biology.

What expectations are there around user access and community availability?

The FOA places strong weight on the beamline being a true user facility. Awardees are expected to make capabilities and availability widely known through outreach, communication, and engagement, rather than limiting access to a narrow set of local users.

What kinds of user support does the FOA emphasize?

The facility is expected to provide hands-on user training and robust support services so outside researchers can successfully plan experiments, collect data, and use the beamlines effectively. This implies established user support infrastructure, clear access policies, and staff expertise dedicated to assisting a diverse set of investigators.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad across many organization types, including various levels of government, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits, and small businesses.

What does "limited competition" mean for eligibility?

Although many organization types may be eligible in general, the practical applicant pool is narrowed by the limited competition requirement: only existing synchrotron-based resources whose operations have previously been supported by NIGMS are intended to apply.

Can a new synchrotron beamline or newly formed resource apply?

Not under the stated intent. The limited competition is aimed at already-established synchrotron structural biology resources with prior NIGMS operational support, rather than new entrants proposing to start a facility or create a brand-new beamline concept.

What is the grant mechanism and what does P30 indicate?

This opportunity uses the NIH P30 mechanism, described here as a center-type grant mechanism. In the provided description, it is positioned to support shared resource operations and user access for an established facility.

Which federal agency and NIH institute sponsor this FOA?

The sponsoring agency is HHS/NIH, and the specific NIH institute is NIGMS (National Institute of General Medical Sciences).

What research area does this opportunity support?

It supports structural biology conducted using X-ray synchrotron beamlines, with an emphasis on biomedical research community use and access.

Is this opportunity focused on operations, upgrades, or expansion?

It is primarily focused on sustained operations and reliability, plus incremental upgrades and modernization needed to keep an established beamline resource aligned with state-of-the-art standards. The intent described is not centered on expansion into speculative or high-risk development work.

What is the CFDA number associated with this listing?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 93.859.

When was this opportunity posted?

The listing indicates it was posted on May 9, 2016, and created the same day.

What is the application closing date shown in the listing?

The application closing date shown is October 10, 2018.

Does the listing state an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The provided fields do not include an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. The program intent described focuses on continued operations and user access for mature beamline resources.

What is the key takeaway for applicants?

The central fit is an established, NIGMS-supported synchrotron structural biology user resource that can demonstrate stable operations, community access, strong user training and support, and a plan to maintain and incrementally modernize capabilities without making major new technology R&D the primary goal.