[National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov)

November 15, 2025 (Estimated Application Due Date)

Expected 1 award; funding amount not yet specified; U24 Cooperative Agreement mechanism.

NIH will fund a data center to advance collaborative research on musculoskeletal and peripheral pain, focusing on integrated mechanisms and knowledge gaps.

This is a forecasted opportunity; applications are not yet being solicited.

--- ## Description The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), intends to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to establish a HEAL INTERACT Data Center. This center will support research addressing musculoskeletal and peripheral pain as integrated biological processes, with an emphasis on identifying knowledge gaps and novel research directions. The initiative encourages collaborative, multidisciplinary projects that combine expertise in pain mechanisms and resource-related research. This NOFO will use the U24 Cooperative Agreement mechanism, supporting resource-related research projects that require substantial NIH programmatic involvement. The opportunity is currently in the forecast stage, allowing potential applicants time to develop collaborations and responsive proposals. --- ## Due Dates - **Estimated Application Due Date:** November 15, 2025 - **Estimated Post Date:** September 25, 2025 - **Estimated Award Date:** August 3, 2026 - **Estimated Project Start Date:** September 7, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Expected Number of Awards:** 1 - **Award Amount:** Not yet specified (details will be provided in the official NOFO) - **Funding Mechanism:** U24 Cooperative Agreement (Resource-Related Research Projects) - **Cost Sharing/Matching:** Not required --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State governments - County governments - Independent school districts - Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) - Public housing authorities/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) - Private institutions of higher education - For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) - Small businesses --- ## Application Process - This is a **forecasted opportunity**; applications are not being accepted at this time. - The official NOFO is expected to be posted on or after September 25, 2025. - Interested investigators are encouraged to begin developing collaborations and project concepts in anticipation of the NOFO release. - The application will utilize the U24 activity code, which supports resource-related, cooperative research projects. --- ## Additional Information - The initiative is part of the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, focusing on pain research. - The data center will play a central role in supporting integrated research on musculoskeletal and peripheral pain. - Collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches are strongly encouraged. - This opportunity is designed to address gaps in knowledge and foster innovative research directions in pain mechanisms. --- ## External Links - [NIH Funder Home Page](https://www.nih.gov) - [Official Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358939) - [NIH Contact Page](https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/contact-nih) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Affiliation | Email | Phone | |---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------| | Rebecca Lenzi, Ph.D.| National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) | [rebecca.lenzi@nih.gov](mailto:rebecca.lenzi@nih.gov) | 301-408-7447 |

HEAL NOFO for the HEAL INTERACT Data Center

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