NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 26 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 26 002

The NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional), PA-26-002, is a grant funding opportunity from the National Institutes of Health designed to support structured, NIH-funded research partnerships between a U.S.-based lead (prime) organization and one or more foreign organizations. The main goal is to strengthen productive and secure international collaborations that advance NIH and participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) scientific missions, while also improving NIH oversight and transparency around how international research funding is awarded and tracked, consistent with the approach described in NOT-OD-25-104.

A defining feature of this opportunity is its award structure: a domestic prime award is paired with separate, independent foreign award(s) that are formally linked to the U.S. prime project. In practical terms, NIH is not simply allowing an international “component” inside a single award; it is explicitly supporting collaborations where the foreign partner(s) are funded through their own linked awards, which gives NIH clearer visibility and management capability over the international portion of the work. Because of this structure, every application must include at least one international subproject, and the overall application is reviewed as an integrated collaboration rather than as a purely domestic project with optional overseas activities.

This NOFO is aimed at genuine, substantive foreign research participation where NIH funding supports the foreign effort. It is not intended for situations where the only international aspect is hiring a foreign consultant, buying specialized equipment or supplies from a foreign vendor, or describing a collaboration that does not actually involve NIH funding going to a foreign entity. Similarly, it should not be used for any “foreign component” arrangement that would not lead to a foreign award/subaward relationship consistent with the program design. The intent is to ensure that the foreign partner’s role is central, scientifically meaningful, and properly supported and tracked through NIH mechanisms.

Applications are evaluated as a whole, with particular attention to whether the international subproject(s) create special scientific opportunities that are difficult or impossible to replicate in the United States. Examples of what NIH is looking for include access to unique expertise, distinctive resources, important populations, or environmental conditions abroad that are not readily available domestically, or that substantially augment U.S. resources. Reviewers will also weigh how well the work aligns with the mission and objectives of the relevant participating NIH ICO(s), and whether the collaboration has clear potential to advance health sciences in ways that matter to U.S. public health and NIH priorities.

Eligibility is structured to keep the prime applicant domestic while still enabling funded work with foreign partners. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the prime applicant, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the prime. However, foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed within the collaboration framework, and at least one international project is required. Eligible prime applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and various governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and independent school districts.

The program sits in the NIH health research portfolio (CFDA 93.310) and uses the grant funding instrument under a discretionary opportunity category. The listing notes a closing date of May 7, 2029, and was created January 20, 2026; specific award ceilings and expected award counts are not provided in the supplied summary, which often means applicants should consult the full NOFO and the participating ICO guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-specific limits or priorities. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NIH’s dedicated mechanism for funding real, linked, cross-border research projects where the foreign collaboration is essential to the science and where NIH can directly oversee and track the international funding relationship rather than treating it as a minor or incidental project feature.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.310.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-05-07.
• 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 PA 26 002

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