Transformative Non-Invasive/Minimally Invasive Technologies for Imaging the Olfactory System Across Scales (R01 CT Optional)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Aug 21, 2028, 671 days left.

Opportunity number	RFA-DC-27-003
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Health
Award ceiling	$500,000
Expected number of awards	3
Total program funding	$2.0 million
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.173, 93.286
Posted	May 20, 2026
Closes	Aug 21, 2028 (671 days left)
Add the deadline to	Google Calendar

Who can apply

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 and Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses
Others (see the eligibility notes)

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

Description

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), with the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) aims to support the development and/or adaptation of transformative in vivo high-resolution/high specificity imaging of the human olfactory system. Currently, there are limited non-invasive/minimally invasive technologies available for imaging the living human peripheral and central olfactory system with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Imaging the olfactory system in the laboratory and in the clinic is essential to understanding underlying biological mechanisms as well as the etiology of an olfactory disorder. Such imaging has proven challenging due to the olfactory system"s unique anatomical and functional characteristics such as restricted accessibility, multiple cell types, and low signal resolution. Addressing these challenges requires multimodal approaches including leveraging existing advanced tools and technologies and developing new tools tailored for the olfactory system.

Recent advances in minimally invasive and non-invasive imaging technologies, such as cell specific biomarkers, fluorescence imaging, specialized endoscopes, optical and acoustic imaging, molecular imaging, and hemodynamic and diffusion imaging have the potential to transform our ability to image and investigate the peripheral and central olfactory system in the living human with superior temporal and spatial resolution and eventually improve diagnostic accuracy of olfactory disorders.

Applications must leverage advanced non-invasive/minimally invasive imaging technologies to visualize peripheral (e.g., olfactory- and non-olfactory epithelium) and central olfactory (e.g., olfactory bulb) targets at a level previously unattainable. In addition, projects should engage multidisciplinary teams combining expertise in olfaction, biomedical imaging, biochemistry, bioengineering, and biophysics, as appropriate.

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Health grants right now

There are 350 open federal grants in health that small businesses may apply for; 33 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $500,000; this grant offers up to $500,000. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA and Centers for Disease Control - NCBDDD. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1031 days; this one is open for 824 days.

Who has won this program before

Yale Univ $67.5 million · from Jul 1, 2015
NEW York University $64.3 million · from Jul 7, 2010
University Of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill $49.7 million · from Jul 1, 2007
Baylor College Of Medicine $47.8 million · from Sep 28, 2011
Jackson Laboratory $47.2 million · from Sep 16, 2011

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.173, 93.286 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.