Objectives
The NIH Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program supports the purchase of a single commercialized research instrument that is currently unavailable to the applicant institution. Like a seed, the instruments are expected to help promote new research opportunities, expand existing research capabilities, foster collaboration and training, and support the growth of future research activities. Instruments funded through this program will be shared among users to promote cost-effective research for reproducible biomedical data generation. Hence, the instrument is expected to be placed in a safe and accessible shared resource to maximize collaboration.
Funding Information
The minimum award is $50,000 and the maximum award is $400,000. However, there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument.
Eligibility
Eligible instruments include, but are not limited to mass spectrometers, cell sorters, bioimagers, DNA and protein sequencers, light microscopes, 3D printers, and high-performance computers. Applications for general purpose computer systems (computer clusters and data storage systems) will only be considered if the system is solely dedicated to biomedical research.
At least 2 NIH-funded users must be identified and at least 1 of the NIH-funded users must be from the applicant institution. NIH-funded users from other institutions are highly encouraged. Each of the NIH funded users must be a PD/PI on a distinct active NIH award (i.e., a grant or a cooperative agreement). An award given to multi-PDs/PIs is counted only once towards the fulfillment of this requirement. Users with funding from sources such as other Federal agencies, private foundations, or academic institutions are eligible to use the instrument.
Internal Selection Process
The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:
- Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
- Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
- Step 3: Follow one process:
- If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU/BU-CAMED Process below
- If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below
BU/BU-CAMED Process
BU may submit up to 2 applications; 1 from CRC and 1 from BU-CAMED.
Interested applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 7/27/2026
- Proposed Instrumentation Description (1 page max) identifying the instrumentation, the need for it to support research and collaboration, and its potential impact
- Management Plan (300 words max) for the instrumentation, including the proposed location for the instrument and how the instrument will be supported
- List of NIH-funded users as defined in the NOFO
As necessary, a faculty review committee will review internal applications and select the institutional applicant(s). If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman (jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.
BMC Process
BMC may submit up to one application.
If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Monday, July 20 to express interest in this opportunity.
Deadlines
BMC Internal Materials Due: Monday, July 20, 2026
BU/BU-CAMED Internal Materials Due: Monday, July 27, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
External Materials Due: Friday, September 25, 2026