NIIMBL is pleased to announce Project Call 9.1 for technology and workforce development projects. Through Project Call 9.1, NIIMBL intends to steward up to $8 million in new project activities, which includes NIIMBL funding and co-investment from project participants.
The concept submission deadline is September 16, 2025. Submitters must be NIIMBL members.
NIIMBL Senior Technology Fellow and Project Call Program Lead, Sandeep Kedia, takes you through the requirements and process for the Project Call 9.1 Concept Stage.
Project Calls give NIIMBL members the opportunity to work collaboratively on solutions to current biopharmaceutical technology and talent development challenges.
| August 1, 2025 | RFP Release |
| August 15, 2025 | Project Call 9.1 Concept Stage Webinar |
| September 16, 2025 (5:00 pm ET) | Concept Paper Deadline |
| September 25, 26, & 30, 2025 | Virtual Summit |
| October 2025 | Invite for Full Proposal |
| January 29, 2026 | Full Proposal Deadline |
| February 2026 | Full Proposal Review |
| Expected March 2026 | 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 through official channels. Individual applications are associated with an organization; 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 allow several weeks for processing. 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 https://www.niimbl.org/membership/search/.
Are proposals limited to projects strictly within the priority areas, or are tangentially related ideas also considered?
Proposals that align closely with priority areas are preferred, but innovative ideas that are related may also be considered.
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?
Collaborations with non-members are not permissible through 2nd-tier subawards. 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.
Additional Project Partners may be added prior to the full proposal submission, provided all are NIIMBL members at the time of submission.
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.
Is 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 timelines for invitations are 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.
Can I submit a concept that is initially below BRL 4 with the expectation that it will reach BRL 4 by the proposal deadline?
Applicants need to demonstrate that they will reach a minimum of BRL4 level at the time of full proposal and are in the later stage of BRL 3. More information on BRL can be found on NIIMBL website (https://www.niimbl.org/industry-solutions/brls/). However, higher-level concepts are more competitive.
What does a typical PI team composition look like, especially regarding industry partnerships and cost-sharing arrangements?
A typical Project Team includes academic and industry partners, with funding and cost-sharing arrangements detailed in the proposal guidelines. The RFP includes details about cost-sharing considerations.
For workforce grant applications involving community colleges and industry partners, which specific topics are recommended?
Topics should align with workforce development in biomanufacturing and include practical training components.
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.
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.
Will this webinar be recorded, and how can attendees access the recording?
Yes, the webinar is recorded. View the webinar on the Project Call 9.1 webpage.
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 is scheduled for September 25, 26, and 30, 2025. Networking opportunities will be available throughout the event.
How should membership-related inquiries be directed, and to which specific email?
Membership-related inquiries should be sent [email protected].
Is it required that the results of a final awarded proposal be made public to the NIIMBL community?
Yes, results are shared within the NIIMBL community, fostering transparency and collaborative opportunities. Additionally, there will be a broad public announcement.
If you have questions regarding Project Call 9.1, 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.
