Translational Centers Using Microphysiologic Systems for Infectious Diseases

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is preparing to fund the development of human microphysiologic systems specifically tailored for infectious disease research and the advancement of therapeutics or biological products. These systems, which replicate the structure and function of human tissues and organs in vitro, aim to provide more accurate models of human physiology than traditional animal models. The initiative seeks to bridge a critical gap by directing MPS technology toward infectious disease applications, an area that has been underdeveloped despite growing support from the NIH and FDA for human-relevant models to replace animal testing. The program aims to accelerate the adoption of these systems by drug and biologics developers and to facilitate their regulatory acceptance. Funding will be made available through authorities granted under Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act and governed by Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200. The opportunity, titled Translational Centers Using Microphysiologic Systems for Infectious Diseases, was posted on June 24, 2026, and is managed by the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases through the Point of Contact dmidmpstranslational@mail.nih.gov. While the solicitation number, NAICS code, and other administrative details are not yet specified, the program is expected to support translational research centers focused on creating, validating, and deploying MPS platforms that can be reliably used to study pathogen-host interactions, test candidate therapies, and inform regulatory decision-making.