PAR-26-138
National Centers for Cryo-electron Tomography (cryoET) (R24 -Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
National Centers for Cryo-electron Tomography (cryoET)
Research Focus
This program supports service centers providing nationwide access to cryo-electron tomography (cryoET)—a technique for determining macromolecular complex structures in unstained frozen cells. CryoET enables structural analysis of native, frozen-hydrated biological specimens using 3-D transmission electron microscopy, complementing single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) for studying complete and fully functional macromolecular complexes in cellular contexts. The centers will reduce barriers to broad utilization by providing access to expensive instrumentation (cryo-FIB-SEM, 300 keV cryoEM microscopes, correlative light and electron microscopy equipment) and training in specimen preparation workflows—including plunge freezing, high-pressure freezing, and cryo-FIB milling—and tomographic data collection. A key goal is building national expertise by prioritizing user training for independent practice over service-only provision.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Institutions with capacity to house and operate required cryoET instrumentation (cryo-FIB-SEM, 300 keV cryoEM microscope, CLEM equipment, specimen preparation facilities, computational resources).
- Funding & project length: Not stated.
- Award mechanism: R24 (Resource-Related Research Projects).
- Key dates: Applications due January 26, 2027; earliest start October 2026 (scientific merit review July 2026, advisory council October 2026).
- Best fit for: Structural biology, cell biology, and biochemistry researchers needing access to advanced cryoET for macromolecular structure determination; centers with existing electron microscopy infrastructure and technical staff capacity.
Key Facts
Deadline
Tue, January 26, 2027
Posted
Thu, February 5, 2026
Award / Year (direct costs)
$500,000
Max Total
$2,500,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (6)
Service scope is strictly limited to native, frozen-hydrated biological specimens using 3-D transmission electron microscopy. Other emerging technologies (embedded specimens, scanning electron microsc
98%
Source Text
“The scope of this initiative is limited to analysis of native, frozen-hydrated biological specimens using 3-D (tomographic) transmission electron microscopy. Other emerging technologies, for example those using embedded specimens and/or scanning electron microscopy, while important, are outside the scope of the initiative and should not be offered.”
There will be no facility charges for users from non-profit institutions. This is a mandatory requirement that limits the center's revenue model.
95%
Source Text
“There will be no facility charges for users from non-profit institutions.”
Centers must maintain specific equipment reserved for sole use, including at least one cryo-FIB-SEM and one 300keV cryoEM microscope at a single site; microscopes from federally-funded resources must
95%
Source Text
“Each center must have: At least one cryogenic focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (cryo-FIB-SEM) reserved for the sole use of the center; At least one state-of-the-art 300keV cryoEM microscope equipped with a direct electron detector reserved for the sole use of the center... Both the cryo-FIB-SEM and a 300keV microscope must be at one site. Centers proposing to incorporate more than one cryo-FIB-SEM or one 300keV electron microscope must justify the need for multiple instruments withi”
No more than 10% of center effort may be invested in integrating new technology. Technology development that does not directly advance service objectives must be funded through other sources (R21 or R
92%
Source Text
“No more than 10% of center effort may be invested in integrating new technology. Technology development that does not directly advance the center's service objectives is beyond the scope of this NOFO and may be supported through other sources of funding such as the NIGMS Technology Development Programs R21 (PAR-25-202) and R01 (PAR-25-203).”
Centers must use a single, public application track for all users, including local and institutional users. Except for the center's own internal development, quality control, maintenance, and evaluati
90%
Source Text
“There should be a single, public application track for all users, including local and institutional users. Except for the center's own internal development, quality control, maintenance, and evaluation projects, other institutional or local use must be reviewed and prioritized through the same public channels as all other users.”
Center staff must apply as users through the center's public application process for their outside research, even though their effort on outside research must be supported by other funding sources. Th
90%
Source Text
“Center personnel with part-time appointments may participate in research outside of the center, provided their effort on this research is supported by other funding sources. Center staff must apply as users through the center's public application process for use of center facilities for their outside research.”