The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is pleased to announce Project Call 10.1 for technology and workforce development projects. NIIMBL expects to launch a combined $8 million of project activities to address U.S. competitiveness in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
The concept deadline is September 9, 2026, at 5 pm ET. Submitters must be NIIMBL members.
NIIMBL has launched a new proposal and reporting submission platform, NIIMBL Gateway. All proposers and subject matter expert reviewers must create a new account and obtain new login credentials to access the system. To request a NIIMBL Gateway account, visit gateway.niimbl.org and click the Register card to submit an account request.
For an overview of how to submit your concept in the new NIIMBL Gateway, please see the video and instructional guide.
NIIMBL hosted a Concept Stage Webinar to review the RFP Concept Stage requirements and answer questions. Watch the recording below.
Project Calls give NIIMBL members the opportunity to work collaboratively on solutions to current biopharmaceutical technology and talent development challenges.
| August 3, 2026 | RFP Release |
| August 14, 2026 (1:30pm ET) | Concept Stage Webinar |
| September 9, 2026 (5 pm ET) | Concept Paper Due |
| September 29 – October 2, 2026 | Virtual Project Call 10.1 Summit |
| October 19, 2026 | Invitation to Full Proposal |
| January 7, 2027 (5 pm ET) | Full Proposal Due |
| January 2027 | Proposal Review |
| February 9, 2027 | Award Decisions Announced |
How does a new entity become a member of NIIMBL, and can individuals apply independently of their affiliated institutions?
Entities must apply for membership by the time specified in the RFP. Individuals cannot apply independently. Please contact [email protected] for membership related questions.
If an entity is associated with another organization that’s already a NIIMBL member, does this confer any membership benefits regarding proposal submissions?
Being associated with a NIIMBL member organization does not automatically confer membership benefits; the entity itself must be a NIIMBL member to participate in project call submissions.
What is the process and typical duration for becoming a member of NIIMBL?
The membership process duration can vary, but entities should submit their application by the time specified in the RFP. Immediate queries regarding membership can be directed to the NIIMBL support team at [email protected].
What is the best way for non-members to network with NIIMBL members to identify potential project collaborations?
Non-members can access a list of NIIMBL members at Organization Search – NIIMBL
Are proposals limited to projects strictly within the priority topic areas, or are tangentially related ideas also considered?
Proposals that align closely with priority topic areas are preferred. All approaches and consistent with the overall goals described in the project topic areas will be considered.
What does a typical project team composition look like, especially regarding industry partnerships and cost-sharing arrangements?
A typical Project Team includes academic and industry partners. Technical Projects should include a Tier 3 SMM organization. Each project partner should submit a budget with cost share to support their efforts as described in the statement of work.
The RFP includes details about budgeting and cost-sharing considerations.
Can proposals involve collaborations with non-members, specifically through subawards? Are additional organizations allowed to join as collaborators after the concept has been invited to a full proposal?
Only a NIIMBL member can submit a concept paper. The full project team does not have to be identified at the concept stage.
Additional Project Partners may be added prior to the full proposal submission, provided all are NIIMBL members at the time of submission.
NIIMBL does not allow for 2nd tier subawards.* In certain cases, NIIMBL members may need to use a procurement contract to complete their scope of work with a vendor.*
* A subaward is defined as programmatic, substantive work, with rights to intellectual property.
* A vendor provides a service or product off the shelf; a vendor can be a non-NIIMBL member.
Do all Technology proposals require a Tier 3 (SMM) member in the consortium?
Yes, all technology proposals require a Tier 3 industry member (SMM) to be part of the team, or the proposer must file a form to request an exemption.
What are the member tier requirements for collaborators on workforce concept proposals?
There are no specific tier requirements; however, all collaborating organizations must be NIIMBL members.
Are there a maximum number of proposals that a principal investigator can submit or participate in?
There is no strict limit, but PIs are encouraged to focus on quality and the manageability of multiple projects.
How are invitations to submit full proposals communicated, and what timeline should applicants expect?
Invitations are communicated via email. The timeline for invitations is included in the RFP details.
Will all concept papers receive feedback, including those not selected for a full proposal?
Yes, NIIMBL will share anonymized feedback from the stakeholders who choose to share it with us.
Does the showcase video have to be the PI? Or could it be another staff member?
The PI should attend the Summit, please contact [email protected] if you are not available on one of the Summit days.
Are there minimum qualifications a PI must have in order to submit a concept?
NIIMBL does not specify minimum qualifications for PIs. These determinations are often made by the PI’s organization. NIIMBL expects the PI will be an employee of the submitting organization.
Do concepts need to include project partners, letters of support, and budgets?
No. This information is not part of the Concept Stage. These items will be required at Full Proposal Stage.
Are recent grantees for other NIIMBL funding opportunities eligible for Project Call 10.1?
Yes.
What defines the BRL levels, particularly levels 4-7, and where can one find these definitions? Can a concept that is initially below BRL 4 be submitted with the expectation that it will reach BRL 4 by the proposal deadline?
BRL levels are defined in the RFP documentation and on NIIMBL website (https://www.niimbl.org/industry-solutions/brls/). Concepts below BRL 4 may be submitted with a clear plan to reach BRL 4 by the deadline; however, higher-level concepts are more competitive.
Why does NIIMBL fund projects in BRL 4 or higher?
NIIMBL is required by the law that created Manufacturing USA Institutes to only work in the 4-7 range.
For workforce applications involving community colleges and industry partners, which specific topics are recommended?
Priority topic areas are highlighted in the workforce RFP. Project teams can be comprised of any type of NIIMBL member that can meet the goals of the priority topic area selected.
What is the maximum funding amount per proposal, and does this represent the total award for a category or just an individual proposal?
The maximum funding amount is per proposal, not the total for all awards in a category (Refer to RFP for details on funding amount).
Are partners on a project considered co-PIs, and how does this affect the proposal?
Partners can be considered co-PIs, and this should be clearly stated in the proposal to define roles and responsibilities.
Are there recommendations for two-year institutions interested in a workforce concept to meet the cost share requirement?
NIIMBL recommends forming strong partnerships with industry and other larger academic institutions to help meet the cost requirements.
What types of contributions qualify for cost-sharing, and are there specific guidelines for cash versus in-kind contributions? Are federal funds permissible for meeting matching funds requirements?
Both cash and in-kind contributions qualify. Federal funds, however, cannot be used to meet the matching funds requirement.
Can other grant funds, like those from NSF, be used for matching funds or cost sharing?
No
What kind of reporting will be required?
All projects have financial and progress reporting requirements. NIIMBL will meet monthly with teams to review progress on the projects.
Will this webinar be recorded, and how can attendees access the recording?
Yes, the webinar is recorded. Attendees will receive a link to access the recording post-event.
Where can I find the requirements for Project Call 10.1T (technical) and Project Call 10.1W (Workforce)?
The Technical and Workforce RFP documents are the definitive source for all concept and proposal requirements. The requirements outlined in the RFP documents override any discrepancies in the Concept stage webinar.
Does receiving an invitation to submit a full proposal generally indicate a higher likelihood of funding?
Receiving an invitation to submit a full proposal suggests a favorable review of the concept but does not guarantee funding.
When is the virtual summit likely to occur, and what opportunities will there be for networking?
The virtual summit usually occurs about three weeks after the concept submission due date. Networking opportunities will be available throughout the event.
Is it required that the results of a final awarded proposal be made public to the NIIMBL community?
Yes, all funded projects are shared within the NIIMBL community, fostering transparency and collaborative opportunities. Additionally, there will be a broad public announcement.
If you have questions regarding the NIIMBL eXperience RFA, contact us at [email protected].
We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.
