Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program supports biomedical research capacity building in states that have historically received low levels of NIH funding. The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports the expansion and sustainability of biomedical research centers in IDeA-eligible institutions. These centers will focus on building research capacity in broad scientific areas of strategic importance for the institutions. The goal of COBRE-E is to expand research capacity by growing the institutional faculty base and supporting research projects and core facilities in the new area. The objective of COBRE-S is to sustain the infrastructure by continuing the growth of the faculty base and consolidating research cores. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered.
The Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) grant is designed for biomedical research institutions located in IDeA-eligible states seeking to build and strengthen their research capacity. This National Institutes of Health (NIH) program supports two distinct phases: the Expansion Phase (COBRE-E), which focuses on growing the institutional faculty base and establishing new research projects and core facilities in strategic scientific areas, and the Sustainability Phase (COBRE-S), which maintains and consolidates existing research infrastructure while continuing faculty development. Eligible institutions in underserved states with historically low NIH funding levels can leverage this opportunity to advance biomedical research capabilities, expand their research portfolio, and establish centers of excellence in areas of institutional strategic importance. The program emphasizes capacity building through infrastructure development, faculty recruitment and support, and core facility establishment. Research institutions, medical schools, and academic medical centers in qualifying states should consider applying to strengthen their competitive position in the national research landscape, enhance their ability to attract and retain top research talent, and establish themselves as leaders in their chosen research domains.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
May 25, 2029
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Varies by cycle
Deadline
2029-05-25
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Limited Competition - invitation-based
Best For
Research institutions and academic medical centers in IDeA-eligible states seeking to expand or sustain biomedical research capacity
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Eligibility is restricted to institutions that meet all the following criteria:In an IDeA-eligible state, commonwealth, or jurisdiction, which are Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North D
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Eligibility is restricted to institutions located in IDeA-eligible states, commonwealths, or jurisdictions, including Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and North Dakota, among others. Institutions must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in Section III of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). For complete and current eligibility requirements, applicants should review the official NOFO on the NIH grants website.
How much funding does Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Funding amounts vary by cycle and specific project requirements. The NOFO does not specify fixed award amounts in the publicly available summary. Interested applicants should consult the official NOFO and contact their NIH program officer for detailed information about funding levels for the current funding cycle.
How do I apply for Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
This is a limited competition program, meaning invitations are extended to eligible organizations meeting specific criteria. Applications must be submitted through the NIH electronic submission system and will undergo standard NIH peer-review processes. Only applications from eligible institutions in IDeA states will be considered. Applicants should review the complete NOFO for application procedures, required components, and submission deadlines. Contact the NIH grants office or visit grants.nih.gov for submission instructions and additional guidance.
What can Limited Competition: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Expansion/Sustainability Phases (COBRE-E/S) (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
Funding supports biomedical research capacity building through multiple mechanisms: the Expansion Phase (COBRE-E) funds growth of institutional faculty base, research projects, and establishment of core facilities in new strategic research areas; the Sustainability Phase (COBRE-S) funds continued faculty growth and consolidation of existing research cores. Projects must focus on broad scientific areas of strategic importance to the institution. Clinical trials are not allowed under this program.
Last updated: July 5, 2026