Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
Get NIH funding plus access to expert consultants and CROs to advance your biologic therapeutic from lead candidate to Phase I human testing while retaining all IP rights.
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What this is
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN-Biologics) supports preclinical and early clinical development of novel biologic therapeutics targeting disorders of the nervous system. This program covers large biologic macromolecules, gene-based therapies (oligonucleotides, viral vectors), cell therapies, and emerging approaches like microbiome therapies. Applicants can leverage NIH-funded expert consultants and contract research organizations (CROs) for manufacturing, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and Phase I clinical support. Awardees maintain full control of intellectual property rights for developed candidates, including rights from contractor work.
Who can apply
Wide-ranging eligibility including small businesses, startups, universities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, tribal organizations, and for-profit companies. No apparent size restrictions for small businesses. U.S.-based organizations only (implied by NIH federal funding).
Eligible applicant types
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Small businesses
- City or township governments
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- State governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Special district governments
Full description — from the agency
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network for Biologics (BPN-Biologics) provides support for biologic-based therapeutic discovery and development, from lead optimization through phase I clinical testing. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supports preclinical discovery and development of potential therapeutic Biotechnology Products and Biologics including, but not limited to, large biologic macromolecules, (e.g., proteins, antibodies, and peptides), gene-based therapies (i.e., oligonucleotide- and viral-based), cell therapies, and novel emerging therapies (e.g., microbial and microbiome therapies). Applicants will collaborate with NIH-funded consultants and can augment their project with NIH contract research organizations (CROs) that specialize in manufacturing, scaling, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and Phase I clinical testing. BPN-Biologics awardee institutions retain their assignment of IP rights and gain assignment of IP rights from the BPN-Biologics contractors (and thereby control the patent prosecution and licensing negotiations) for biotherapeutic candidates developed in this program.
Topics: biologic drug discovery · nervous system therapeutics · gene therapy development · cell therapy · phase I clinical trials · antibody therapeutics · neurotherapy development
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.