Contraceptive Development Research Centers Program (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 22 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 22 003

The Contraceptive Development Research Centers Program (RFA HD-22-003) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity that funds the creation of a multidisciplinary Contraceptive Research Development Center using the P50 center grant mechanism, with clinical trials permitted but not required (clinical trial optional). The central aim is to accelerate the discovery and development of new contraceptive methods, as well as meaningful improvements to existing options, for both men and women. Rather than supporting isolated projects, this program is built around a coordinated center model where multiple scientific disciplines work together under a single, organized structure to move promising contraceptive concepts forward in a more integrated and efficient way.

A key emphasis of the program is strengthening the full development pipeline, including translational work that helps move candidates from preclinical stages toward clinical readiness. In practical terms, this can include studies that de-risk a product before it reaches human testing, address delivery and formulation challenges, improve manufacturability, refine dosing strategies, establish safety and proof-of-concept evidence, and generally increase the odds that a candidate will succeed once clinical evaluation begins. Because contraceptive technologies often fail not only due to biology but also due to real-world adoption barriers, the FOA explicitly allows behavioral and social science research alongside biomedical development. This includes user-centered research such as acceptability testing and market research, as long as those projects are well coordinated and responsive to the specific contraceptive product being developed within the center. The intent is to ensure that product design and development decisions are informed by how potential users think, choose, and adhere to contraceptive methods, thereby improving the likelihood of eventual uptake and public health impact.

Another major purpose of the center is workforce development. The funded Center is expected to function as a national resource that helps cultivate early stage investigators who want to build careers in contraceptive research. This typically implies a structured environment with mentorship, access to shared expertise and infrastructure, and opportunities for newer investigators to contribute to high-impact translational work within a supportive, collaborative program.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of U.S.-based organizations, reflecting the program's interest in drawing on diverse institutional strengths. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since universities fall under their own categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may be eligible to participate, meaning a U.S. applicant organization can include certain activities outside the United States as part of its overall program if allowed under NIH rules. At the same time, the FOA states that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed, which limits formal foreign involvement and underscores that the center and its core activities must remain grounded within eligible U.S. organizational structures.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity area, under CFDA number 93.865, and is offered by NIH. The original closing date listed for this FOA was November 29, 2021, and the record creation date is November 19, 2020. An award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which often means applicants must refer to the full FOA text or NIH budget guidance to understand typical award sizes, allowable costs, and project period expectations for P50 center applications.

In essence, this program is designed to fund organized, team-based centers that can take a contraceptive candidate from concept and optimization through key translational milestones, while also addressing the behavioral and market realities that determine whether a method will actually be used. The structure aims to produce not only better contraceptive products, but also a stronger, more sustainable field of investigators and collaborative infrastructure to support future contraceptive innovation.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Contraceptive Development Research Centers Program (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-11-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA HD 22 003

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