RFA-NS-26-012: Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies for Acute Cerebroprotection – Network Sites and Coordinating Center (U01- CT Not Allowed)
Forecast
This forecast is out of date. Its expected dates have passed and the agency has not posted the opportunity on Grants.gov. It may be delayed or cancelled; check the program's other opportunities below.
National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make one award worth $500,000 in total. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around December 17, 2025, with applications due around March 18, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed September 2, 2025. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Total funding$500,000
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
About this NIH notice
- Activity codeU01
- U01, Research Project Cooperative Agreement. Like an R01, but NIH staff are substantially involved in the work. Other open U01 notices.
Application due dates, page limits and budget limits are set in the notice. Read RFA-NS-26-012 in the NIH Guide.
Key dates
| Forecast posted | September 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Expected posting | December 17, 2025 |
| Expected deadline | March 18, 2026 |
| Expected award date | December 1, 2026 |
Add the deadline to your calendar or it to My grants.
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 15 applicant types the notice lists
- 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/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (76% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Coordinating Center and Testing Sites of the Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN), a preclinical network to support translational studies for cerebroprotection in experimental models of acute ischemic stroke. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize Cooperative Agreements (U01). Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of multi-center translational studies for acute cerebroprotection in experimental models of acute ischemic stroke are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this NOFO. SPAN 3.0 will be a collaborative network for the preclinical testing of stroke treatments comprised of up to 6 peer-reviewed data collection sites that emphasize rigor with built-in replication and a Coordinating Center (CC) that will oversee administration, coordination, and data sharing of the network.
Who has won Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders (93.853) awarded $9.1 billion across 8,641 grant awards, an average of $1.0 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The General Hospital Corporation | Massachusetts | 203 | $288 million |
| The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco | California | 248 | $277 million |
| The Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | 230 | $276 million |
| The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | New York | 188 | $226 million |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Michigan | 179 | $221 million |
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to Francesca Bosetti, frances@mail.nih.gov, 301-496-1297.
Questions people ask
Is RFA-NS-26-012 still open?
Not yet. It is a forecast: expected deadline March 18, 2026.
Who can apply for Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies for Acute Cerebroprotection – Network Sites and Coordinating Center (U01- CT Not Allowed)?
National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) to Support Translational Studies for Acute Cerebroprotection – Network Sites and Coordinating Center (U01- CT Not Allowed)?
Expected deadline March 18, 2026. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
About $500,000 in total for one award.
Who has won Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were The General Hospital Corporation, The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco, The Johns Hopkins University. The program made 8,641 awards worth $9.1 billion in that time.
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