OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-27-021

Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Jul 1, 2028(627 days left)$50,000 – $400,000

Does this fit your business?

This NIH program pays for one shared biomedical research instrument, costing $50,000 to $400,000, for US institutions building research capacity. It is for organizations that do biomedical research and need a piece of equipment they do not currently have. If you are not buying a shared research instrument — or you are a retailer, lender, or any business outside healthcare and biotech — do not bother.

Best for
Biomedical research institutions buying their first shared instrument, Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status running health research, Universities and colleges building research capacity, Tribal and local government research programs
Not for
Businesses that are not buying a shared biomedical instrument, Foreign organizations or US organizations with foreign components, Retail, finance, housing, and other industries outside biomedical research
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (medical, biomedical, clinical)
100
Strong Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (training)
81
Strong Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Equipment, Research
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
$50,000 – $400,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
July 1, 2028. The notice was posted June 25, 2026, so you have a long runway.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Between $50,000 and $400,000 for a single instrument. There is no cap on the instrument's total cost, but NIH will not pay more than $400,000 of it, and no cost sharing is required.
Who can apply for this grant?
US-based entities only: state, county, city and special district governments, federally recognized and other Native American tribal organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations including small businesses. Foreign organizations, foreign components of US organizations, and non-US parts of US organizations cannot apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The published eligibility list does not name sole proprietors or single-member LLCs. It does include small businesses and for-profit organizations generally, so check Section III of the NOFO (PAR-27-021) before assuming you qualify.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without it can apply, as long as they are not institutions of higher education — those are covered under a separate eligible category.

Summary

NIH program funding purchase of a single shared biomedical research instrument ($50k-$400k) to build research capacity at US institutions. Eligible: states, local/tribal governments, nonprofits, higher ed, school districts, housing authorities, and for-profit organizations including small businesses. Foreign entities ineligible.

About this grant

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to build new research capacity and develop a sustainable research program by supporting the purchase of a single commercially available biomedical research instrument currently unavailable in the institution. Instruments funded through this program must be shared among the users to create new research opportunities, enable reproducible data generation, encourage collaborative research and training, and strengthen long-term research capabilities. The minimum award is $50,000. While there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument, the maximum award is $400,000.

Who can apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/Foreign Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthodsig@mail.nih.gov301-402-2541

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