Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 22 080

NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (PAR-22-080) FAQs

What is the NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (PAR-22-080)?

The NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (funding opportunity number PAR-22-080) is a discretionary NIH grant program intended to help groups of NIH-supported investigators acquire or upgrade one major, commercially available piece of specialized research equipment, or one integrated instrumentation system. The goal is to strengthen shared research infrastructure by placing high-end instrumentation into a shared-use environment that multiple NIH-funded investigators can access for biomedical research.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The purpose is to support shared access to expensive, specialized research equipment that would be difficult for a single laboratory to purchase on its own. By funding acquisition or upgrades, the program aims to expand or improve institution-wide (or center-wide) research capabilities for multiple NIH-supported investigators.

What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for this opportunity?

This announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the application itself is not intended to support or propose clinical trials as part of the grant activity. The grant is focused on equipment acquisition or upgrade for shared research use rather than clinical trial activities.

What kind of equipment does the SIG program support?

The program supports one major, high-cost, commercially available specialized instrument, or one integrated instrumentation system, intended for shared use. It is designed for high-priced and specialized instruments commonly used in biomedical and behavioral research.

Does the SIG program fund multiple unrelated pieces of equipment in one application?

No. The program focuses on a single instrument purchase or a single integrated system rather than multiple unrelated equipment items.

What are examples of instruments mentioned for this program?

Examples explicitly mentioned include X-ray diffractometers, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers, DNA and protein sequencers, biosensors, electron and light microscopes, flow cytometers, and biomedical imaging systems. The announcement also notes that other similar high-end instruments may be considered.

Is the instrument required to be commercially available?

Yes. The description specifies that the program supports acquisition or upgrade of one major, commercially available piece of specialized research equipment, or an integrated instrumentation system.

Does the grant support buying a new instrument, upgrading an existing instrument, or both?

Both. The program is designed to help eligible groups acquire or upgrade one major instrument or integrated system.

Where is the instrument expected to be used?

The intent is for the instrument to be placed in a shared-use environment so that multiple NIH-funded investigators can access it as a shared resource for biomedical research.

Who is the grant intended to support as users?

The program is intended to support multiple NIH-supported investigators by improving access to high-end instruments that can serve several projects and research groups within an eligible organization.

What is the minimum award amount?

The minimum award amount is $50,000.

What is the maximum NIH award amount under this program?

The maximum NIH award (the ceiling) under this mechanism is $600,000. This effectively caps how much NIH will contribute even if the total instrument cost is higher.

Is there a maximum allowable instrument price?

No maximum allowable instrument price is stated in the provided information. However, NIH funding is capped at $600,000 under this mechanism.

What happens if the instrument costs more than $600,000?

If the instrument exceeds the NIH award ceiling, applicants should expect to document how remaining costs will be covered through other non-SIG sources, consistent with NIH requirements and institutional policies.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes U.S.-based organizations such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) other than institutions of higher education.

Are institutions that serve specific communities highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other listed eligible U.S.-based organization types.

Can non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply under this announcement.

Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible under this announcement.

Are foreign components allowed?

No. Foreign components (as defined by NIH Grants Policy) are not allowed under this announcement.

Which agency sponsors this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.351 and 93.859.

What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is 2024-06-03.

When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record indicates it was created on 2022-01-07.

In one sentence, what is this program best understood as funding?

This program is best understood as NIH support for shared, high-impact capital equipment that serves a community of NIH-funded researchers at an eligible U.S. institution, without funding clinical trials through this mechanism.