Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 815
The NIH grant opportunity "Better Defining Growth Medium to Improve Reproducibility of Cell Culture" (PA-18-815) is an SBIR solicitation designed for small businesses to create practical tools that reduce a long-standing source of inconsistency in cell culture research: reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS). FBS is popular because it is relatively inexpensive and broadly effective at supporting growth and survival across many cell lines, but it is also notoriously variable from lot to lot. That variability can change what cells do in culture, affecting growth rates, signaling pathways, gene expression patterns, and other physiological behaviors. As a result, two labs running the "same" experiment can end up with different outcomes simply because their serum differs, which contributes to poor reproducibility and unreliable comparisons across studies.
The core purpose of this funding announcement is to support the development of novel, reliable, and cost-effective technologies that help researchers either standardize serum-based culture conditions or replace serum altogether. In practice, this means the NIH is looking for innovations that make cell culture media more defined and predictable, so experiments become easier to reproduce across time, batches, and laboratories. The emphasis on tools suggests the program is oriented toward product-oriented R and D that can be adopted broadly by the research community, such as assays, measurement platforms, quality-control methods, or improved media supplements that reduce dependence on undefined serum components. Because the FOA focuses on improving reproducibility, proposed solutions would generally be expected to address the sources of variability in serum composition and activity and translate that into more consistent cell culture performance.
This is a discretionary grant program under the NIH and uses the SBIR funding mechanism R43/R44, which typically corresponds to a phased approach: early feasibility and prototype development followed by further development and validation, with the intent of moving toward commercialization. The opportunity is explicitly "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning projects should not be structured as clinical trials; the work should remain in the preclinical and technology-development space (for example, bench validation, analytical testing, cell-based performance benchmarking, and similar non-clinical evaluations). The activity category is health, and it is listed under CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 93.859.
Eligibility is limited to small businesses. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, foreign components may be allowed in some cases as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S. applicant might be able to include certain clearly justified foreign elements within a predominantly U.S.-based project, subject to NIH rules and approvals.
Key administrative details included in the source information are: the funding opportunity title as above, the opportunity number PA-18-815, the agency as the National Institutes of Health, and the original closing date listed as 2021-04-05. The record does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH SBIR budget guidelines for the relevant limits, phase structure, and submission requirements. Overall, the program is aimed at enabling more standardized cell culture conditions by reducing dependence on variable serum inputs, thereby improving the reliability and reproducibility of biomedical research that depends on cultured cells.Apply for PA 18 815
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Better Defining Growth Medium to Improve Reproducibility of Cell Culture (SBIR) (R43/R44 - 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): 93.859.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-06-05.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-05. (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:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and number of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Better Defining Growth Medium to Improve Reproducibility of Cell Culture" and the opportunity number is PA-18-815.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The grant opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) mechanism with activity codes R43/R44, which generally reflects a phased approach from early development to further development and validation, with an intent to move toward commercialization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to small businesses under the SBIR program.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Can a U.S. small business include non-U.S. components in the project?
Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. However, foreign components may be allowed in some cases as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain clearly justified foreign elements may be included within a predominantly U.S.-based project, subject to NIH rules and approvals.
What problem is the NIH trying to solve with this solicitation?
The solicitation aims to reduce inconsistency and poor reproducibility in cell culture research that can result from reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS). FBS is widely used because it is broadly effective and relatively inexpensive, but it varies significantly from lot to lot, which can change cell behavior and lead to different experimental outcomes across labs or over time.
Why is fetal bovine serum (FBS) considered a reproducibility risk?
FBS can vary between lots in composition and biological activity. This variability can affect growth rates, signaling pathways, gene expression patterns, and other physiological behaviors in cultured cells. As a result, experiments that appear identical on paper may produce different results if different serum lots are used.
What is the core purpose of PA-18-815?
The core purpose is to support development of novel, reliable, and cost-effective technologies that help researchers standardize serum-based culture conditions or replace serum entirely, making cell culture media more defined and predictable and improving reproducibility across time, batches, and laboratories.
What kinds of projects or products does NIH seem to be looking for?
The emphasis is on practical, broadly adoptable tools that reduce dependence on undefined serum components and address sources of variability in serum composition and activity. Examples of tool categories mentioned include assays, measurement platforms, quality-control methods, or improved media supplements.
Does this opportunity focus on basic research or product-oriented development?
Based on the SBIR structure and the stated emphasis on "tools," the program is oriented toward product-oriented research and development that can be adopted by the research community and advanced toward commercialization.
Is this a clinical trial funding opportunity?
No. The opportunity is explicitly designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so proposed projects should not be structured as clinical trials.
If clinical trials are not allowed, what types of work fit this FOA?
The work should remain in the preclinical and technology-development space, such as bench validation, analytical testing, cell-based performance benchmarking, and other non-clinical evaluations aligned with developing and validating reproducibility-improving tools for cell culture.
What is the general topic area or activity category?
The activity category is health, with a focus on improving the reliability and reproducibility of biomedical research that depends on cultured cells.
What is the Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing number provided is 93.859.
What is the deadline (closing date) listed in the provided information?
The original closing date listed in the provided record is 2021-04-05.
Does the provided record include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided fields do not include an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
Where would an applicant typically find budget limits and submission requirements?
Since the provided record does not include budget caps or award counts, applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and the NIH SBIR budget guidelines for applicable limits, the phase structure details, and submission requirements.
What is the expected benefit to the research community if projects funded under this FOA succeed?
The expected benefit is more standardized and predictable cell culture conditions, enabling experiments to be reproduced more reliably across different labs, time periods, and media/serum batches, thereby improving confidence in comparisons across studies.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Enforcement Mussel Detection Dog
Previous opportunity: Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trial 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 PA 18 815
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 18 815) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Better Defining Growth Medium to Improve Reproducibility of Cell Culture (STTR) (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 816 Funding Number: PA 18 816 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lab to Marketplace: Tools for Brain and Behavioral Research (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 819 Funding Number: PA 18 819 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Alzheimer's Drug-Development Program (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 820 Funding Number: PAR 18 820 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Roybal Centers for Translational Research on Aging (P30 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AG 19 006 Funding Number: RFA AG 19 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Roybal Centers for Translational Research on Dementia Care Provider Support (P30 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AG 19 007 Funding Number: RFA AG 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Collaborative Activities to Promote Cancer Cachexia Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 821 Funding Number: PA 18 821 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Approaches for Understanding Disease Mechanisms and Improving Outcomes in TB Meningitis (TBM) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 822 Funding Number: PAR 18 822 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Analyses of CALERIE Data and Biospecimens to Elucidate Mechanisms of Caloric Restriction (CR)-Induced Effects in Humans (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 824 Funding Number: PA 18 824 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 19 017 Funding Number: RFA AG 19 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Analyses of Adherence Strategies and Data Sets from CALERIE to Explore Behavioral and Psychosocial Aspects of Sustained Caloric Restriction in Humans (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 825 Funding Number: PA 18 825 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Analyses of Adherence Strategies and Data Sets from CALERIE to Investigate Behavioral and Psychosocial Aspects of Sustained Caloric Restriction in Humans (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 826 Funding Number: PA 18 826 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AG 19 018 Funding Number: RFA AG 19 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Analyses of CALERIE Data and Biospecimens to Elucidate Mechanisms of Caloric Restriction (CR)-Induced Effects in Humans (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 823 Funding Number: PA 18 823 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC) for Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) (U2C Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA TR 18 021 Funding Number: RFA TR 18 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Sustained Release Innovation for HIV (SRI) (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 18 006 Funding Number: RFA AI 18 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Award (R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 828 Funding Number: PAR 18 828 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Phased Innovation Award (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 829 Funding Number: PAR 18 829 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Orphans and Vulnerable Children II (OVC II) Activity Apply for 72052118R00016 Funding Number: 72052118R00016 Agency: Haiti USAID-Port Au Prince Category: Health Funding Amount: $19,950,000 |
| Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 833 Funding Number: PAR 18 833 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 832 Funding Number: PAR 18 832 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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 "PA 18 815", 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.