At a glance
This program funds biologics-based therapies for disorders of the nervous and neuromuscular systems, from lead optimization through first-in-human phase 1 clinical trials. It is for higher education institutions, nonprofits, governments, tribes, small businesses, for-profits, federal entities, and foreign organizations. Award budgets are not limited, and applicants may request up to 2 years of UG3 funding; the UH3 phase cannot exceed 4 years, and total project length cannot exceed 5 years. No cost-share requirement is stated. Small molecule drugs are excluded, and projects must focus on a single nervous or neuromuscular system condition within the mission of participating NIH Blueprint Institutes and Centers.
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network for Biologics (BPN-Biologics) provides support for biologic-based therapeutic discovery and development, from lead optimization through phase I clinical testing. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supports preclinical discovery and development of potential therapeutic Biotechnology Products and Biologics including, but not limited to, large biologic macromolecules, (e.g., proteins, antibodies, and peptides), gene-based therapies (i.e., oligonucleotide- and viral-based), cell therapies, and novel emerging therapies (e.g., microbial and microbiome therapies). Applicants will collaborate with NIH-funded consultants and can augment their project with NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that specialize in manufacturing, scaling, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. BPN-Biologics awardee institutions retain their assignment of IP rights and gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN-Biologics contractors (and thereby control the patent prosecution and licensing negotiations) for biotherapeutic candidates developed in this program.
Who can apply
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Others
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments