Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 24 293

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 293

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network for Biologics (BPN-Biologics) is an NIH cooperative agreement program designed to move biologic-based therapies for nervous system disorders from the late discovery stage into early clinical development. The opportunity, listed as PAR 24 293, supports a structured pipeline that begins at lead optimization and can extend through Phase I clinical testing (with clinical trials being optional under this announcement). In practical terms, the program is meant to help promising biologic therapeutic candidates clear the major technical and translational hurdles that typically block academic and early-stage industry teams from reaching an investigational, clinic-ready product.

A central focus of the FOA is biologic and biotechnology product modalities rather than small molecules. Supported therapeutic approaches include large biologic macromolecules such as proteins, antibodies, and peptides, as well as gene-based therapies using oligonucleotide platforms and viral vectors. The program also explicitly includes cell therapies and newer or emerging modalities, including microbial and microbiome-based therapies. The unifying theme is that the proposed project should be aimed at developing a tangible therapeutic candidate for a disorder of the nervous system, with development plans and evidence that it can be advanced along a product-oriented path rather than remaining purely exploratory research.

The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement using the UG3/UH3 phased structure. That setup typically implies milestone-driven progression, where early activities occur in the UG3 phase and, upon meeting clearly defined performance and development milestones, the project transitions to the UH3 phase for more advanced development work. Because this is a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant), NIH program staff and the broader BPN-Biologics infrastructure are expected to be actively involved in the project’s execution, planning, and decision-making. The design signals that applicants should anticipate regular coordination, rigorous go/no-go milestones, and a development plan aligned with regulatory and manufacturing realities.

One of the defining features of BPN-Biologics is the built-in access to specialized development support that most research teams cannot easily assemble on their own. Awardees work alongside NIH-funded consultants and can also leverage NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that have capabilities in areas such as manufacturing and scale-up, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. This is essentially a translational accelerator: it combines funding with a coordinated network of expertise and operational capacity so that projects can generate the kinds of datasets and materials needed for IND-enabling work and early clinical evaluation, where appropriate.

The FOA also highlights intellectual property terms that are meant to make the program attractive to groups intending to commercialize or partner their assets. Institutions receiving BPN-Biologics awards retain their own IP rights and also gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN-Biologics contractors for biotherapeutic candidates developed within the program. That arrangement is important because it keeps the awardee in control of patent prosecution and licensing discussions, reducing uncertainty about who owns what when contractor-generated data, materials, or candidate improvements are produced as part of the program-supported development activities.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible entities include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants 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, US territories or possessions, and even non-US (foreign) entities. This breadth suggests NIH is aiming to pull strong therapeutic development projects from a wide range of settings, including institutions and regions that are sometimes underrepresented in advanced translational programs.

Administratively, the opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health and falls under a health-focused portfolio reflected by multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866, 93.867). The original closing date listed is 2027-08-18, indicating a multi-year window for submissions under this announcement. While the source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the overall structure and the use of NIH contractors and consultants suggest these projects are intended to be substantial, tightly managed, and aimed at producing development-grade outputs rather than purely academic publications.

Overall, BPN-Biologics is best understood as a milestone-driven NIH partner program for biologics targeting nervous system disorders, providing both funding and coordinated technical infrastructure to push a therapeutic candidate through lead optimization, preclinical development, and potentially into first-in-human testing. The program’s combination of CRO access, active NIH involvement, and applicant-friendly IP control is designed to reduce common translational bottlenecks and make it easier for awardees to carry successful candidates forward into later-stage clinical development and commercialization.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-08-18.
• 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 24 293

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