NCATS offers an array of funding programs and in-kind support services designed to help researchers translate basic scientific knowledge into interventions that improve human health. Learn more about all the ways that collaborators can access NCATS to advance translational science.
Collaboration & Funding Opportunities
NCATS encourages partnerships across all scientific disciplines and research sectors, including with investigators from NIH, universities and medical centers, other federal agencies, small businesses and industry, and patient groups and advocacy organizations. Find out how to collaborate with NCATS intramural scientists, or select your program of interest from the NCATS Programs & Initiatives page.
Funding Opportunities for Researchers Nationwide
The majority of NCATS awards are for applications sent in response to targeted funding opportunities. NCATS develops these funding opportunities with an aim to stimulate translational research in areas of greatest need and for identified gaps in diagnostics and therapy development. View open opportunities.
Research Opportunities at NCATS
Researchers in the NCATS Division of Preclinical Innovation do not focus on a particular system, disease or condition; they explore the entire system of preclinical discovery and development and are uniquely positioned to develop system approaches that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. Connect with our preclinical experts.
Small Business Grants & Contracts
NCATS’ small business programs, including Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, help entrepreneurs develop and commercialize new translational technologies through grant and contract awards. NCATS supports further development of preclinical and clinical tools, instruments, devices and related methodologies that may have broad application to translational research.
Expertise & Resources
NCATS staff are experts in many different fields relevant to translational research and science policy, from small molecules to licensing to protections for human subjects. The Center supports innovation in new technologies and approaches and provides expertise in preclinical and clinical research as well as resources for patient/community engagement and health information.
Preclinical Research Expertise
NCATS and other NIH Institutes and Centers have developed tools and resources to help scientists conduct preclinical research. View a selection of these resources and software tools.
Clinical Research Expertise
NCATS supports a broad range of clinical research expertise and tools that facilitate clinical trial design, patient recruitment and regulatory compliance. View some of these areas of expertise and resources.
Licensing, Technology Transfer & Patents
The dedicated strategic alliances team at NCATS makes it easy for industry and academia to interact and partner with Center laboratories and scientists. The Center’s support for technology development and partnership includes day-to-day negotiations of transactional agreements between NCATS and outside parties, including universities, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies.
Training and Education
The NCATS Education Branch is committed to developing the tools, resources and programs needed to broadly increase understanding and awareness of, and engagement in, translational science. View our training opportunities and resources.
Patient Information & Resources
NCATS offers a variety of patient and community engagement resources in addition to a wealth of knowledge about rare diseases research.
Genetic and Rare Diseases
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center provides up-to-date health information about numerous rare and genetic diseases.
Patient-Focused Therapy Development
The NCATS Toolkit for Patient-Focused Therapy Development is a collection of online resources that can help patient groups advance through the process of therapy development.