Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3) | PAR 17 205

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 205

The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) UG3/UH3 opportunity (PAR 17-205) is an NIH cooperative agreement program designed to help neuroscience researchers move promising small molecule therapeutics for nervous system disorders from early discovery work into first-in-human testing. The core aim is translational: taking credible biological rationale and early chemical matter and pushing it through the practical, resource-heavy steps required to reach the clinic. Rather than functioning as a basic research grant, BPN is structured around a product-focused development path with clear milestones, hands-on collaboration, and access to specialized drug development capabilities that many academic labs do not have in-house.

A key feature of the program is how responsibilities and resources are split. The awardee research team continues to run the disease- or target-specific science in their own lab, meaning they are responsible for the assays, models, and research tools that demonstrate whether compounds are working in the relevant biological context. NIH funding supports these in-lab activities. At the same time, the program connects teams with NIH-supported consultants and provides the option to use NIH contract research organizations (CROs) for specialized work that is often a bottleneck in small molecule development. These CRO-supported services can include medicinal chemistry optimization, pharmacokinetics (how the drug behaves in the body), toxicology, formulation development, larger-scale chemical synthesis (including GMP manufacturing when needed), and Phase I clinical testing. In practice, BPN is set up to blend the scientific insight of the investigator with professional drug development execution.

Projects can enter the program at two different points depending on maturity. The Discovery entry point is meant for projects that have promising “hit” compounds (early molecules with activity) that still need optimization through medicinal chemistry to improve potency, selectivity, drug-like properties, and overall developability. The Development entry point is for more advanced projects that already have a viable development candidate and are ready to move into IND-enabling work, such as the toxicology package needed for an Investigational New Drug application, and then potentially proceed into Phase I clinical studies. Importantly, BPN is designed as a staged pathway: projects that start in Discovery and successfully meet program milestones can continue forward into Development, creating a coherent bridge from hit-to-lead optimization to early clinical testing.

The UG3/UH3 structure signals that this is milestone-driven and phased. While the notice itself emphasizes entry at Discovery or Development, the broader implication of the UG3/UH3 mechanism is that an initial phase supports execution of defined activities with go/no-go criteria, and successful performance allows transition to the next phase. That approach aligns with the program’s emphasis on advancing real drug candidates rather than funding open-ended exploration. Because it is a cooperative agreement, NIH is not simply providing funds and stepping back; it is a more interactive model where awardees collaborate with NIH-associated experts and resources, and progress is managed against agreed development objectives.

Intellectual property terms are also highlighted as a major incentive for applicants. Institutions receiving BPN awards retain their existing IP rights, and they also receive assignment of IP rights generated by BPN contractors for drug candidates developed through the program. This means the awardee institution maintains control over patent prosecution and licensing negotiations for candidates that come out of the BPN-supported development effort, which can be crucial for later partnering, commercialization, and ensuring a clear ownership position.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organization types. Standard eligible applicants span state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth reflects NIH’s interest in drawing therapeutic candidates from many different parts of the research ecosystem.

Administratively, the opportunity is run by the National Institutes of Health and categorized as discretionary funding via a cooperative agreement mechanism. It lists multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting the NIH-wide, cross-institute nature of the Blueprint effort. The original closing date shown in the source data is 2017-12-21, and the creation date is 2017-03-09, indicating this particular posting is tied to that application window. Overall, the program can be read as a practical NIH pipeline for small molecule neurotherapeutics: investigators bring the disease knowledge, assays, and biological proof, and BPN helps supply the development infrastructure needed to reach an IND and Phase I testing without forcing teams to give up control of the resulting IP.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-03-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: 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.

Apply for PAR 17 205

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: