Verified opportunity
The Washington National Biomedical Research Center (WaNBRC) at the University of Washington is accepting Letters of Intent for its 2027 Ignition Pilot Award. The program supports innovative translational studies using nonhuman primate models of human disease and is intended to generate preliminary data for future external grant applications or subsequent clinical studies.
Funding: Two awards of up to $75,000 each. Awards are administered by WaNBRC and generally support Center study costs such as animal costs, per diem, procedures, supplies, and salaries. Outgoing subcontracts or subawards are not the intended structure, although WaNBRC may consider exceptions case by case.
First deadline: Letter of Intent due September 25, 2026. The controlling WaNBRC page does not state a submission time or time zone for the LOI, so Atlas does not infer one.
Invited full application deadline: December 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST, submitted by email to u_wanprc_pcprojects@uw.edu. Applications time-stamped after that deadline will not be considered.
Eligibility and project structure
Eligible applicants include research faculty and eligible early-stage investigators, including post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty who can apply for independent external funding or career-transition awards. Applicants must be affiliated with an academic or nonprofit institute and cannot have received a WaNBRC Ignition Award within the previous three years. External investigators are encouraged, but every project must be sponsored and supervised by at least one WaNBRC Core or Affiliate Scientist.
Applicants must work with WaNBRC to define the scientific components, identify an appropriate Core or Affiliate Scientist, price Center services, and develop a complete budget. A budget that is insufficient to complete the Specific Aims or was not developed with WaNBRC assistance will not advance to scientific review. No additional funds are required for UW indirect costs. If a subaward is approved, the recipient institution’s indirect costs must fit inside the $75,000 award.
Selected investigators are responsible for securing University of Washington IACUC approval before a new project begins. The budget period is anticipated to run May 1, 2027 through April 30, 2028. WaNBRC states there is no option for a no-cost extension or carry-forward.
Application process
The LOI is submitted through WaNBRC’s online form and must include the proposal title, a 250-word maximum abstract, key personnel, participating WaNBRC Core or Affiliate Scientists, the WaNBRC Core Scientist mentor, and at least four potential reviewers, including one UW reviewer and three external reviewers. Only competitive LOIs will be invited to submit a full application. WaNBRC expects to notify invited applicants October 5, 2026.
Atlas fit
Atlas Opportunity Score: 64/100. This is a legitimate Washington biomedical-research opportunity, but it is highly specialized around nonhuman-primate translational research and investigator eligibility.
N9+ Fit: 15/100, conditional. WaNBRC expressly allows translational work involving diagnostics or devices, so a research use of the Nonagon N9+ remote physical examination platform is theoretically possible. Atlas does not treat N9+ as an ordinary equipment purchase or presumed allowable cost. A legitimate N9+ pathway would require an eligible academic/nonprofit investigator, a scientifically justified NHP protocol, a willing WaNBRC sponsor, and WaNBRC budget approval.
QC Healthcare fit: No current direct fit established. Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100. The published applicant rules center on eligible research investigators affiliated with academic or nonprofit institutions, not a commercial direct applicant.
Official source and contact
Washington National Biomedical Research Center: WaNBRC Ignition Pilot Award RFA
Email: u_wanprc_pcprojects@uw.edu