Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TR 23 018
The Miniaturization and Automation of Tissue Chip Systems (MATChS) funding opportunity (RFA TR 23 018) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant that uses the STTR cooperative agreement mechanism (UT1/UT2) to accelerate the development of next-generation tissue chip platforms. The central goal is to make tissue chip systems smaller, more automated, and easier to run at higher throughput, so they can be used more routinely in drug development and as broadly useful research tools across biomedical laboratories. Clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity.
The NOFO is aimed at research and development that moves beyond custom, labor-intensive setups and toward practical, turnkey technologies. Responsive projects are expected to focus on automation that reduces manual handling and increases consistency, including higher throughput operation, online sensing and monitoring, and rapid data acquisition and analysis. In practice, this means integrating capabilities such as automated fluid handling, real-time measurement of key biological or biochemical signals, and streamlined analytics that can keep pace with the data produced by these systems. The overall emphasis is on enabling automated tissue chip workflows that are scalable and user-friendly, rather than platforms that require extensive hands-on intervention or specialized expertise to operate.
Because this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, NIH anticipates substantial involvement from NIH staff during the project period. Applicants, which must be small business concerns (SBCs) applying through the STTR framework, are expected to propose clear, measurable milestones and benchmarks and to work collaboratively with NIH to track progress and adjust plans as needed. A major expectation is that funded teams will not only demonstrate technical progress toward a miniaturized and automated system, but also lay out credible pathways to commercialization, reflecting the program's interest in tools that can move into broader adoption and sustained availability.
Eligibility is limited to small businesses; foreign participation is explicitly restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. The opportunity falls under CFDA 93.350, was created on 2023-11-21, and lists an original closing date of 2026-02-23.Apply for RFA TR 23 018
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Miniaturization and Automation of Tissue Chip Systems (MATChS) (UT1/UT2 - 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): 93.350.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-02-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management New Mexico (NM) Plant Conservation and Restoration Management
Previous opportunity: Modern Equipment for Shared-use Biomedical Research Facilities: Advancing Research-Related Operations (R24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA TR 23 018
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA TR 23 018) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for the NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 042 Funding Number: PAR 24 042 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) Apply for PAR 24 069 Funding Number: PAR 24 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Miniaturization and Automation of Tissue Chip Systems (MATChS) (U43/U44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA TR 23 017 Funding Number: RFA TR 23 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Modules for Enhancing Biomedical Research Workforce Training (R25 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 040 Funding Number: PAR 24 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Prevention and Intervention Approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 068 Funding Number: PAR 24 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Prevention and Intervention Approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 067 Funding Number: PAR 24 067 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 23 311 Funding Number: PAR 23 311 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 044 Funding Number: PAR 24 044 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Planning Grants (R34 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 041 Funding Number: PAR 24 041 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Short Courses to Promote the Broad and Rigorous Use of Common Fund Data (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 23 014 Funding Number: RFA RM 23 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) Data Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 24 106 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 106 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET): Learning Health Care Research to Improve Mental Health Services and Outcomes (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 24 105 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 105 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Resources to Promote Coordination and Collaboration across Deeply Phenotyped Longitudinal Behavioral and Social Studies of Aging (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 25 006 Funding Number: RFA AG 25 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,600,000 |
| Alcohol Research-Related Resource Award (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 071 Funding Number: PAR 24 071 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short-Term Research Education Program to Enhance Diversity in Health-Related Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 25 001 Funding Number: RFA HL 25 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Basket Clinical Trials of Drugs Targeting Shared Molecular Etiologies in Multiple Rare Diseases (U44 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA TR 24 001 Funding Number: RFA TR 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $306,872 |
| NEI Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Cooperative Agreement for Early-Stage Clinical Trials with Greater than Minimal Risk (U44-Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 066 Funding Number: PAR 24 066 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Streamlining mental health interventions for youth living with HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 25 140 Funding Number: RFA MH 25 140 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Systems-Based Approaches to Improve Patient Safety by Improving Healthcare Worker Safety and Well-Being (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 24 093 Funding Number: PA 24 093 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Limited Competition: Specific Pathogen Free Macaque Colonies (U42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 078 Funding Number: PAR 24 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA TR 23 018", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.