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Our programs, projects and other research activities tackle ongoing challenges in translational research so that new treatments and other health solutions can reach people faster.
Through our research activities, we overcome roadblocks that slow progress on developing treatments for many different diseases and that can lead to inequities in clinical outcomes. Explore the range of initiatives we support at NCATS and beyond.
3-D Tissue Bioprinting Program
Our scientists are creating and using 3-D printing techniques to make tissue models that closely resemble the complex structure and organization of our cells.
A Specialized Platform for Innovative Research Exploration (ASPIRE)
Through this program, we are building an end-to-end solution for finding, designing and testing new molecules with the potential to become new treatments.
Analytical Chemistry
Our analytical chemistry experts and state-of-the-art lab support early-stage chemical development by analyzing and purifying small molecules and other compounds.
Automation
Our automation experts work closely with our lab scientists to support various research activities, including high-throughput screening, and assay development and optimization.
Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium (BGTC)
We help lead this public-private partnership program that focuses on developing platforms and standards to speed the development and delivery of gene therapies for rare diseases.
Biomedical Data Translator
This program funds projects that integrate existing medical and biological data from different sources to quickly and easily reveal valuable connections and insights about diseases, including potential treatments.
Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs)
This in-house program helps researchers in advancing promising therapeutic agents through late-stage preclinical development to clinical testing.
Chemistry Technology
Our chemistry technology experts develop small molecules and screening methods that can be used by other scientists to drive innovations in therapeutic development.
Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program
This program funds a network of more than 60 leading medical institutions to improve the health of individuals and communities through research, resources and training.
Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders and Syndromes (CTR) Grants Program
Through this program, we offer grants for projects focused on collecting data needed to advance promising therapies and diagnostics for rare diseases toward clinical trials.
Code Map Services: Interoperability for Common Data Models
Explore how Code Map Services translates real-world data between research “languages,” or common data models like OMOP and FHIR enabling researchers faster collaboration across networks.
Compound Management
Our compound management team uses sophisticated and automated techniques to supply chemicals for NCATS screening experiments to uncover new treatments for diseases.
Discovering New Therapeutic Uses for Existing Molecules (New Therapeutic Uses)
Awarded projects aim to streamline the process of discovering new treatments and cures for diseases by identifying new uses for existing assets that have already gone through significant development steps.
Functional Genomics Laboratory
Our functional genomics experts work with collaborators from across NIH institutes and centers to design and use functional genomics technology to advance drug discovery and knowledge about health and disease.
Gene-Targeted Therapies
We are developing generalizable approaches to advance gene-targeted therapies for many rare diseases.
Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG)
We help lead this NIH Common Fund program to study and generate resources on key targets for new therapeutic agents.
Informatics
Our team works with scientists to make sense of data from large experiments to inform decisions that advance translational research.
LitCoin
LitCoin helps the NIH share data by giving researchers a way to get recognized for sharing their data and findings through scientific papers.
Matrix Combination Screening
Our experts use matrix combination screening technology to quickly identify promising drug combinations with the most potential to help patients.
MMA-101
This project will test a gene therapy as a potential treatment for a rare genetic disorder.
Multidisciplinary Machine-Assisted, Genomic Analysis and Clinical Approaches to Shortening the Rare Diseases Diagnostic Odyssey
This grant program funds the development of innovative approaches for reducing the time it takes to accurately diagnose rare diseases.
National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C)
N3C translates health data into health solutions.
NIH Quantum Biomedical Innovations and Technologies (Qu-BIT) Program
Qu-BIT aims to further the application of innovative novel quantum-enabled sensing technologies and quantum computing approaches for various biomedical and translational use cases purposes.
OpenData Portal
Our OpenData Portal is an open and accessible platform for sharing COVID-19-related drug repurposing data and experiments involving approved drugs.
Platform Vector Gene Therapy (PaVe-GT)
Our pilot project is testing the feasibility of increasing the efficiency of gene therapy clinical trials by using the same gene delivery system and manufacturing methods for multiple gene therapies.
Preclinical Chemical Biology Laboratory
Our scientists and collaborators bridge chemistry and the biology underlying disease to develop new ways to discover and create chemical probes and potential drug candidates.
Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN)
We oversee this NIH-wide grant program that supports medical research on over 200 rare diseases through clinical studies, including collaborations, study enrollment and data sharing.
RARe-SOURCE®
RARe-SOURCE® aims to collect and combine several data sources to build an integrated bioinformatics resource. This will address the challenges in rare disease research.
Somatic Cell Genome Editing [NIH Common Fund Programs]
We help lead this NIH Common Fund program that aims to create and make available high-quality tools for safe and effective genome editing to decrease the time and cost of creating new therapies.
Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL)
Our experts develop methods and standards to use stem cell technology (using cells derived from skin or blood) to advance treatment approaches.
Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) [NIH Common Fund Programs]
We provide program management and administrative support for Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions, a Common Fund program.
The Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®
As part of the NIH HEAL Initiative, we are applying our translational science approaches to accelerate the development of new treatments for opioid misuse, addiction and pain management.
Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND)
Our experts help move new treatments for rare and neglected diseases through the later stages of drug development by collaborating with external scientists and companies.
Tissue Chip for Drug Screening
This program funds the development and testing of models built from human cells for predicting drug safety and toxicity before clinical testing in people.
Toxicology in the 21st Century (Tox21)
Our experts are part of this federal collaboration that aims to rapidly test whether substances are harmful to people.