BRAIN Initiative: Marmoset Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | RFA MH 20 150

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 20 150

The BRAIN Initiative: Marmoset Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-MH-20-150) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to build a centralized coordination hub that strengthens and organizes information about captive marmosets used in biomedical and neuroscience research. The main purpose is to improve how marmoset colonies are managed across institutions by standardizing records, consolidating key data in one place, and using that data to guide colony-level decisions that support long-term animal health and genetic diversity. Because it is a U24 cooperative agreement, the project is expected to be a substantial, service-oriented resource for the broader community, with NIH involvement typical of cooperative mechanisms. As stated in the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement.

The awardee is expected to carry out two connected responsibilities, with the first explicitly defined as establishing and operating a repository for core colony records. That repository is meant to hold genomic information, pedigree relationships, and “event” records for individual animals, including items like date of birth as well as medical and reproductive histories. In practical terms, this kind of database functions like a living registry for research colonies, where lineage and health data can be tracked over time, verified, and updated in a consistent format. A centralized repository helps reduce fragmentation where each colony or institution keeps incompatible records, and it enables cross-colony analysis that is difficult or impossible when data are scattered.

A major expectation tied to maintaining this repository is that the Coordination Center uses the compiled information to generate breeding recommendations that maximize both colony health and genetic diversity. This emphasis reflects a common challenge in captive primate management: without coordinated breeding plans, colonies can drift toward inbreeding, bottlenecks, or overrepresentation of certain lineages, which can negatively affect animal welfare and reduce the scientific value of the populations. By combining genomic data with pedigrees and reproductive outcomes, the Center can help colonies make evidence-based pairing decisions, anticipate genetic risks, and maintain a more balanced genetic structure across participating populations.

Applicants are encouraged to adopt the model used by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which is widely known for structured, population-level management practices in captive animals. In the AZA approach, institutions share standardized records and participate in coordinated breeding plans that aim to preserve genetic diversity, manage demographic stability, and support animal welfare across an entire managed population rather than within a single facility. Referencing this model signals that NIH is looking for a Coordination Center that does more than store data: it should actively support collaborative colony management, promote consistent recordkeeping practices, and provide actionable guidance that improves outcomes across multiple primate colonies.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes many domestic organization types, reflecting that the Coordination Center could logically be housed in different kinds of institutions depending on their infrastructure and expertise. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those are listed separately); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The announcement also calls out additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA draws a clear line around foreign eligibility. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or elements if they meet NIH’s definition and requirements for a foreign component. This structure typically allows specialized international expertise or resources to be involved while keeping the primary award and responsibility anchored in an eligible U.S. organization.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument, with an NIH original closing date of October 18, 2019, and a creation date of June 25, 2019. It is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting the NIH’s structure and the possibility that multiple NIH institutes or program areas relate to the activity. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, but the core intent is clear: to establish a centralized marmoset data and coordination resource that enables better, healthier, and more genetically robust captive marmoset populations in support of the BRAIN Initiative’s broader neuroscience goals.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BRAIN Initiative: Marmoset Coordination Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-10-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA MH 20 150

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