Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (Phase 3) - Transitional Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 216

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 216

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity PAR-23-216, titled "Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (Phase 3) - Transitional Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)," is a discretionary grant program in the health area (CFDA 93.859) designed to help existing COBRE programs move from a supported, capacity-building phase into long-term independence. In practical terms, this NOFO focuses on transitioning a COBRE's established core facilities, shared research infrastructure, and ongoing biomedical research activities so they can operate sustainably without relying on the same level of COBRE-specific support. The overall aim is to preserve and strengthen the investments already made in research capacity by ensuring that successful COBRE centers can stand on their own, maintain productive research programs, and continue providing high-value core services to investigators.

This announcement is described as a "limited competition" opportunity, meaning it is not broadly open to any institution starting a new center from scratch. Instead, it is intended for eligible organizations that are positioned to enter the Phase 3 "Transitional Center" stage, where the emphasis shifts from building capacity to demonstrating maturity, self-sufficiency, and a clear path to continued operation. The activity code is P30, which generally supports center core grants, and the NOFO is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," indicating that applicants may propose work that includes clinical trials if appropriate, but clinical trials are not required. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary, reflecting NIH's standard competitive grantmaking approach.

Eligibility is restricted. The listed eligible applicant type includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and the NOFO text makes clear that foreign participation is not allowed in several forms. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not permitted. In other words, applicants must be U.S.-based eligible institutions, and the proposed center activities and components must remain domestic; institutions cannot route parts of the project through foreign components or rely on formal foreign subcomponents under NIH definitions. Because NIH eligibility rules can be nuanced, the NOFO itself is the controlling document for the full set of eligibility requirements and any additional constraints.

From a programmatic standpoint, a Phase 3 Transitional COBRE center is generally expected to show that its cores and research support structure are well established, heavily used, and delivering measurable scientific value, and that the institution has a credible plan to sustain those resources over time. This typically means demonstrating strong governance and management of core facilities, effective policies for access and prioritization, appropriate cost-recovery or institutional support strategies, and evidence that the cores are enabling competitive, externally funded research. The transition theme also implies a focus on outcomes: how the center has advanced biomedical research capability, strengthened investigator competitiveness, and positioned the institution and its researchers to succeed with other NIH or external funding mechanisms after COBRE support tapers.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that the opportunity was created on July 11, 2023, and the original closing date is September 30, 2025. The awarding agency is NIH. While the source data lists an "AwardCeiling" field without a specified value and an "ExpectedAwards" field without a specified number, those specifics are often provided in the full NOFO or associated NIH documentation and may vary based on NIH institute/center participation, available appropriations, and program priorities. Applicants typically need to rely on the full NOFO text for the definitive budget guidance, allowable costs, project period expectations, and review criteria.

Overall, PAR-23-216 supports a later-stage COBRE transition where the central question is sustainability: how a mature COBRE will maintain and evolve its core resources and research ecosystem in a way that preserves the gains made under earlier COBRE phases and continues to drive high-quality biomedical research with stable institutional footing and competitive external support.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (Phase 3) - Transitional Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-07-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for PAR 23 216

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