Computational Approaches to Curation at Scale for Biomedical Research Assets (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 131

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 131

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is seeking R01 research grant applications for projects that develop computational methods to curate biomedical research assets at scale. The central goal is to speed up and broaden curation so that biomedical datasets and computational models become more accessible, more complete, and more secure, ultimately supporting data mining and knowledge discovery across rapidly expanding biomedical data streams. This opportunity is framed around the practical reality that modern biomedical research is producing data faster than traditional, mostly manual curation pipelines can handle, and NLM is looking for innovative, scalable approaches that can keep pace with that growth while maintaining high standards for usability and stewardship.

The scientific emphasis is on “computational approaches to curation at scale,” meaning the work should go beyond incremental tooling and aim for methods that can substantially increase throughput, coverage, and/or quality of curation processes. In this context, curation can include activities like organizing, standardizing, annotating, linking, validating, and packaging data or models so they can be reliably discovered, understood, reused, and integrated with other resources. NLM is interested in approaches that enable the creation and maintenance of well-curated, secure datasets and computational models that are ready to serve as foundations for downstream biomedical discovery. Projects are expected to address the challenges posed by the growing volume, heterogeneity, and complexity of biomedical data produced by ongoing advances in data science and related technologies.

The funding mechanism is an NIH R01 (Research Project Grant), and clinical trials are not allowed under this specific announcement. The program is identified as PAR-25-131 and falls under CFDA 93.879, with activity areas listed as education and health. The posted award ceiling is $250,000 (as provided in the source information). The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses the grant funding instrument type. The original closing date listed is April 15, 2027, indicating a multi-year window in which applications may be accepted according to NIH submission schedules tied to the announcement.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly highlights other eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); eligible federal government agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; regional organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places clear limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. In practical terms, applications must be submitted by eligible U.S.-based organizations without relying on a non-U.S. organizational component as the applicant entity.

Overall, this funding opportunity is meant for research teams that can combine biomedical informatics, data science, and scalable computing to make curation faster and more comprehensive, while producing secure, usable biomedical research assets. A competitive proposal would typically be expected to show how the proposed computational approach improves curation capacity at scale, supports high-quality reuse and discovery, and results in curated datasets or models that can meaningfully accelerate biomedical research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Computational Approaches to Curation at Scale for Biomedical Research Assets (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2024-10-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-04-15.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 25 131

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