How to Access NIAID’s Preclinical Services for Your Product Development Program

Reach out to a NIAID contact

Have you worked with NIAID before? 

If you already have an NIAID program officer, contact them to discuss your needs. 

Are you new to working with NIAID?

If you have not worked with NIAID before or do not have a program officer contact, reference the contact list for DMID staff to find the program officer who most closely matches your focus.

Once you have established a contact, you will continue to work with your NIAID contact throughout the process.

You and your contact discuss your project and determine if NIAID has capacity to support you

You and your NIAID contact will discuss your needs and determine if NIAID has the capacity to support your project. Then, NIAID staff will help you execute a nonclinical evaluation agreement (NCEA). This agreement will cover any services that you receive for a five year period.

Agreements maintain confidentiality and intellectual property. NCEAs are established per organization, not per study. Your organization may have an existing NCEA with NIAID that will cover your project. Your NIAID contact can check if there is an active agreement.

You submit a request for preclinical services

Your NIAID contact will guide you on how to submit a request for preclinical services using NIAID's online portal. Your contact will give you access to the portal. 

NIAID evaluates your request

NIAID evaluates if your request is within NIAID capabilities and priorities. Requests are reviewed and approved at the branch/office level, where they are considered in relation to branch/office priorities. The following are the evaluation criteria:

1. Are the proposed studies within the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID)/NIAID mission?
2. Are the proposed studies within the scope of and/or technology provided by awarded contracts?
3. Are a sufficient quality and/or quantity of product available?
4. Is the proposed work supported by other funding sources/available from other sources?
5. Has the requestor previously used DMID resources for assessment of the same or similar product? (Repeat use of DMID resources may be undertaken with strong justification.)
6. Are preliminary data adequate to support the request to advance the product to the next step in the product development pathway?
7. What is the likelihood that services will contribute significantly to the eventual development and/or evaluation of a product of high quality?
8. What is the purported public health impact?
9. What improvements in health benefits are offered beyond current measure(s)?
10. Does the requestor have a plan for advancing the product beyond completion of the services requested?

If approved, NIAID assigns or solicits a task order to the contractor

NIAID provides services through a suite of service contracts. If your request is approved, NIAID will assign or solicit a task order for your study. 

NIAID works with you to develop your study

Your NIAID contact works with you and the contractor to develop a study design. 

The contractor executes the study

The contractor performs the study and provides a report. The study report and data are yours.  

Your NIAID contact will support and work with you throughout the entire process.