NIIMBL's Projects and Programs

Both projects and programs are opportunities for direct member involvement to help benefit the biopharmaceutical manufacturing community, but they have some key complementary differences.

Project call program

  • Broad solicitation of projects from NIIMBL members on technical and workforce topics
  • NIIMBL committees provide recommendations for topic areas
  • All NIIMBL members can participate

NIIMBL-led programs

  • Specific coordinated projects around a strategic technical theme
  • Defined by member program participants, led by NIIMBL Program Leads and Steering Team
  • Participation is based on membership tier

Workforce programs

  • Allow academia and industry to work together, foster connections, build skills, and connect qualified candidates with job opportunities
  • Can include programs for students to gain insight into the biopharmaceutical industry and possible careers

Project call program

NIIMBL proudly funds projects that accelerate technology advancement and help improve the skills of our workforce.
  • Project calls are issued approximately annually
  • Priority topic areas for technical and/or workforce development proposals are member-driven and industry-led
  • Completed projects have affected real change in areas throughout the biopharmaceutical ecosystem, including:
    • Reducing costs and measurement time with real-time monitoring in bioreactors
    • Saving millions in facility construction costs for downstream processing
    • Developing software and hardware tools for use by the entire ecosystem in R&D labs
    • Significant cost savings in the manufacture of cytokines for cell growth

Number of Funded Projects

As of June 30, 2023

Solicitations

Current opportunities

We achieve our mission through an RFx process that aims to advance technical and workforce development projects:

  • Request for Proposals
    (RFP): A solicitation sent to the entire NIIMBL community that is to result in funding of activities
  • Request for Information
    (RFI): An open invitation for organizations to share information; not directly associated with funding
  • Request for Applications
    (RFA): A focused solicitation to particular organizations to submit an application intended to result in funding of activities

Viral Vector RFA2025.1
RFI 2025.1: "Shark Tank" Pitches National Meeting
RFP 8.1
RFP 7.1
RFI 2024.1: Universal Connectivity
RFI 2024.2: Hybrid Model
RFA: Faculty Fellows

Viral Vector RFA2025.1

This Viral Vector Program Request for Applications (RFA) aims to fund a team to participate in its the Program’s initiative on optimizing long-read next generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities.

NEW DEADLINE: The submission deadline is April 4, 2025, at 5 pm ET.

Learn more

RFI 2025.1: "Shark Tank" Pitches National Meeting

NIIMBL is planning a special session at the 2025 National Meeting. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Washington DC from June 24-27, 2025. The special session will be a pitch session (i.e. “Shark Tank”-style) where three organizations will be invited to pitch their promising technology in front of a panel of experts. Each of the three organizations will be given 30 minutes total time consisting of a short introductory statement followed by panel question and answer. At the end of the session, a process will be used to select a winning pitch. Because only three organizations will be given an opportunity to present, this RFI is being used to help identify interested parties. The primary intended and expected type of organization would be small companies (e.g. Tier 3 industry members) with promising biopharmaceutical manufacturing-related technology. However, an academic member planning to pursue commercialization of a new technology or a large company with a promising new technology are welcome to submit information but may not be prioritized over small businesses.

Purpose of this RFI:

  • Gather information from interested parties who may be interested in participating in a pitch session.

The submission deadline is April 7, 2025, at 5 pm ET.

Learn more about RFI 2025.1

RFP 8.1

RFP 8.1 includes global health, technology development, and workforce development topics. It is open to current NIIMBL members and to new members by the close of the full proposal deadline.

Be sure to download the full RFP document for information on submitting Global Health, Technology Development, or Workforce Development proposals.

Funding amount: Up to $4M for technology and workforce development projects, and an additional $1.7M available through the Global Health fund.

Technology Development Topics

Process Analytical Technology and Control for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

  • In-line Monitoring and Multivariate Analysis (MVA)
  • Real-time Analytical Technologies
  • Advanced Sensors

Manufacturing Platforms for Biopharmaceutical Products

  • Robust Analytical Tools
  • Expression Systems for Viral Vectors
  • Solid-phase Growth Factor Delivery Vehicles
  • Automated RNA and DNA Extraction Devices
  • Custom Bioreactors
  • Efficient Cell Washing and Concentration Technologies

Workforce Development Topics 

  • Increasing Knowledge and Interest in Biopharma Manufacturing Careers
  • Increasing Participation and Enrollment in Education and Training Programs
  • Internship and Immersion Experiences
  • Innovative Talent Pipeline Partnerships

Global Health Fund Topics

  • mRNA/LNP Alternatives and Lowering Cost of Goods

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2024 (5:00 PM ET)

Learn more about RFP 8.1

RFP 7.1

RFP 7.1 includes both technology development and workforce development topics, with a funding amount of up to $4 million. It is open to current NIIMBL members and to new members by the close of the full proposal deadline (December 7, 2023).

Be sure to download the full RFP document for information on submitting either Technology Development or Workforce Development proposals.

Funding amount: Up to $4 million

Technology Development Topics

  • Cell processing (primarily for application in cell therapies)
  • Technologies for intensified processing of therapeutic proteins
  • In-line, at-line, and online measurements for critical quality attributes (CQAs) and / or process variables
  • Analytical and manufacturing technologies for viral vector manufacturing
  • Improving reliability and quality assurance of manufacturing processes, including Big Data applications


Workforce Development Topics

  • Increase Interest in Biopharma Manufacturing Careers
  • Internship and Immersion Experiences for Non-Traditional Degrees
  • Innovative Talent Pipeline Partnerships
  • Education & Training for New Technologies and/or Use of New Modalities
  • Cross Regional Collaboration


Learn more about RFP 7.1

RFI 2024.1: Universal Connectivity

RFI 2024.1 – Universal Connectivity for In-Process Analytics in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing – aims to gather insights and ideas regarding the development of a Universal Connectivity System for at-line/inline analytical instrumentation. This initiative looks to support NIIMBL's Big Data program in biomanufacturing.

NIIMBL invites submissions from interested parties to share information on potential solutions for a Universal Connectivity System. This system is envisioned as an OT/IT core to facilitate seamless data integration and advanced analytics within biomanufacturing processes, thus enabling data-driven decision-making and process optimization.

Learn more about RFI 2024.1

RFI 2024.2: Hybrid Model

RFI 2024.2 – Hybrid Model Federated Learning – seeks innovative approaches that combine Federated Learning with hybrid models (combining Physics-Based and AI/ML data-driven methodologies) specifically tailored for biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. This request aims to gather insights and concepts for achieving integration and operationalization of these models in a practical, industry-relevant context. By fostering collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, we aim to enhance prediction accuracy of Hybrid Models for biopharmaceutical process predictions using Federated Learning and other Privacy Preserving Computing approaches. This initiative seeks to train a centralized model using community data while maintaining data privacy.

This RFI is a preliminary step to gauge interest and gather insights which may shape future studies or funding opportunities in Hybrid Model Federated Learning. This RFI is not a solicitation for funding proposals. We encourage contributions from all interested parties to become integral parts of this innovative endeavor.

Learn more about RFI 2024.2

RFA: Faculty Fellows

NIIMBL is pleased to announce the pilot of a faculty sabbatical in industry program. The NIIMBL Faculty Fellows program provides financial support for faculty or instructional staff at universities and community colleges to pursue a sabbatical either at an industry member (Tier 1 or Tier 2) or at NIIMBL’s Headquarters (NIIMBL HQ) in Delaware to support NIIMBL-led projects.

Objectives

  • Create a diverse and engaged community of academics that can work collaboratively and effectively with industry and represent a variety of disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions
  • Gain valuable experience and exposure to state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing, learn about real-world industry challenges, seed new industry-academic partnerships, and strengthen the overall member community


Requirements

  • Up to 12 month sabbatical period (12 months is the preferred duration)
  • Maximum total budget of $200,000

Learn more about the Faculty Fellows Program

Viral Vector RFA2025.1arrow down

Viral Vector RFA2025.1

This Viral Vector Program Request for Applications (RFA) aims to fund a team to participate in its the Program’s initiative on optimizing long-read next generation sequencing (NGS) capabilities.

NEW DEADLINE: The submission deadline is April 4, 2025, at 5 pm ET.

Learn more

RFI 2025.1: "Shark Tank" Pitches National Meetingarrow down

RFI 2025.1: "Shark Tank" Pitches National Meeting

NIIMBL is planning a special session at the 2025 National Meeting. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Washington DC from June 24-27, 2025. The special session will be a pitch session (i.e. “Shark Tank”-style) where three organizations will be invited to pitch their promising technology in front of a panel of experts. Each of the three organizations will be given 30 minutes total time consisting of a short introductory statement followed by panel question and answer. At the end of the session, a process will be used to select a winning pitch. Because only three organizations will be given an opportunity to present, this RFI is being used to help identify interested parties. The primary intended and expected type of organization would be small companies (e.g. Tier 3 industry members) with promising biopharmaceutical manufacturing-related technology. However, an academic member planning to pursue commercialization of a new technology or a large company with a promising new technology are welcome to submit information but may not be prioritized over small businesses.

Purpose of this RFI:

  • Gather information from interested parties who may be interested in participating in a pitch session.

The submission deadline is April 7, 2025, at 5 pm ET.

Learn more about RFI 2025.1

RFP 8.1arrow down

RFP 8.1

RFP 8.1 includes global health, technology development, and workforce development topics. It is open to current NIIMBL members and to new members by the close of the full proposal deadline.

Be sure to download the full RFP document for information on submitting Global Health, Technology Development, or Workforce Development proposals.

Funding amount: Up to $4M for technology and workforce development projects, and an additional $1.7M available through the Global Health fund.

Technology Development Topics

Process Analytical Technology and Control for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

  • In-line Monitoring and Multivariate Analysis (MVA)
  • Real-time Analytical Technologies
  • Advanced Sensors

Manufacturing Platforms for Biopharmaceutical Products

  • Robust Analytical Tools
  • Expression Systems for Viral Vectors
  • Solid-phase Growth Factor Delivery Vehicles
  • Automated RNA and DNA Extraction Devices
  • Custom Bioreactors
  • Efficient Cell Washing and Concentration Technologies

Workforce Development Topics 

  • Increasing Knowledge and Interest in Biopharma Manufacturing Careers
  • Increasing Participation and Enrollment in Education and Training Programs
  • Internship and Immersion Experiences
  • Innovative Talent Pipeline Partnerships

Global Health Fund Topics

  • mRNA/LNP Alternatives and Lowering Cost of Goods

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2024 (5:00 PM ET)

Learn more about RFP 8.1

RFP 7.1arrow down

RFP 7.1

RFP 7.1 includes both technology development and workforce development topics, with a funding amount of up to $4 million. It is open to current NIIMBL members and to new members by the close of the full proposal deadline (December 7, 2023).

Be sure to download the full RFP document for information on submitting either Technology Development or Workforce Development proposals.

Funding amount: Up to $4 million

Technology Development Topics

  • Cell processing (primarily for application in cell therapies)
  • Technologies for intensified processing of therapeutic proteins
  • In-line, at-line, and online measurements for critical quality attributes (CQAs) and / or process variables
  • Analytical and manufacturing technologies for viral vector manufacturing
  • Improving reliability and quality assurance of manufacturing processes, including Big Data applications


Workforce Development Topics

  • Increase Interest in Biopharma Manufacturing Careers
  • Internship and Immersion Experiences for Non-Traditional Degrees
  • Innovative Talent Pipeline Partnerships
  • Education & Training for New Technologies and/or Use of New Modalities
  • Cross Regional Collaboration


Learn more about RFP 7.1

RFI 2024.1: Universal Connectivityarrow down

RFI 2024.1: Universal Connectivity

RFI 2024.1 – Universal Connectivity for In-Process Analytics in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing – aims to gather insights and ideas regarding the development of a Universal Connectivity System for at-line/inline analytical instrumentation. This initiative looks to support NIIMBL's Big Data program in biomanufacturing.

NIIMBL invites submissions from interested parties to share information on potential solutions for a Universal Connectivity System. This system is envisioned as an OT/IT core to facilitate seamless data integration and advanced analytics within biomanufacturing processes, thus enabling data-driven decision-making and process optimization.

Learn more about RFI 2024.1

RFI 2024.2: Hybrid Modelarrow down

RFI 2024.2: Hybrid Model

RFI 2024.2 – Hybrid Model Federated Learning – seeks innovative approaches that combine Federated Learning with hybrid models (combining Physics-Based and AI/ML data-driven methodologies) specifically tailored for biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. This request aims to gather insights and concepts for achieving integration and operationalization of these models in a practical, industry-relevant context. By fostering collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, we aim to enhance prediction accuracy of Hybrid Models for biopharmaceutical process predictions using Federated Learning and other Privacy Preserving Computing approaches. This initiative seeks to train a centralized model using community data while maintaining data privacy.

This RFI is a preliminary step to gauge interest and gather insights which may shape future studies or funding opportunities in Hybrid Model Federated Learning. This RFI is not a solicitation for funding proposals. We encourage contributions from all interested parties to become integral parts of this innovative endeavor.

Learn more about RFI 2024.2

RFA: Faculty Fellowsarrow down

RFA: Faculty Fellows

NIIMBL is pleased to announce the pilot of a faculty sabbatical in industry program. The NIIMBL Faculty Fellows program provides financial support for faculty or instructional staff at universities and community colleges to pursue a sabbatical either at an industry member (Tier 1 or Tier 2) or at NIIMBL’s Headquarters (NIIMBL HQ) in Delaware to support NIIMBL-led projects.

Objectives

  • Create a diverse and engaged community of academics that can work collaboratively and effectively with industry and represent a variety of disciplines, backgrounds, and institutions
  • Gain valuable experience and exposure to state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing, learn about real-world industry challenges, seed new industry-academic partnerships, and strengthen the overall member community


Requirements

  • Up to 12 month sabbatical period (12 months is the preferred duration)
  • Maximum total budget of $200,000

Learn more about the Faculty Fellows Program

Past opportunities

American rescue plan

NIIMBL funded 32 coronavirus response projects to multiple organizations across the United States.

Project Call 6.1

NIIMBL awarded approximately $1.7M through the Institute’s Global Health Fund (GHF) for projects focused on the development of in vitro potency assays for prophylactic medical countermeasures being produced by mRNA and/or viral vector technologies.

Learn about more past funding opportunities

Case studies

December 2023

Single-use Modules for Continuous Removal of Antibody Fragments

LigaTrap Technologies, LLC, Merck & Co., Inc., MilliporeSigma/EMD Serono, North Carolina State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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August 2023

A New Generation of High-efficiency HVAC Filters that Can Be Used with Existing Infrastructure to Stop the Spread of Coronavirus Through Recirculation of Air

North Carolina State University

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August 2023

Development of a Thermo-tolerant, Multidose, Egg-produced, Vector-based Coronavirus Vaccine

PATH Center for Vaccines Innovation & Access

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August 2023

Development of Scalable, Thermostable, Spray Dried Vaccine Formulations Applicable for Coronavirus Vaccines

Fraunhofer USA

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November 2022

Noninvasive PAT for Aluminum-adjuvanted Vaccines

Merck & Co., Inc., Pfizer, Inc., University of Maryland Baltimore

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September 2022

Specific Detection of Infected Cells Using Optical Drag-Tags in Laser Force Cytology

Carnegie Mellon University, LumaCyte, Merck & Co., Inc., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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NIIMBL-led programs

NIIMBL-Led Programs accelerate progress around a strategic technical theme to benefit the relevant biopharmaceutical manufacturing community.
Through these programs, NIIMBL is committed to finding solutions to key biopharmaceutical manufacturing challenges that will push the limits of what is currently possible and accelerate the speed at which we manufacture therapies.

Impacts for participants – and the entire biopharmaceutical ecosystem

  • Flexible solutions and assets that will catalyze advances across the biopharmaceutical manufacturing field, solving problems that are difficult or impossible to solve individually
  • Core standardized platforms, tools, and processes that all participants can apply to their own future projects—saving time, effort, and money
  • Interdisciplinary, cross-organizational insights that will provide industrially-relevant direction and inform strategic, specific outreach to the NIIMBL community (e.g. RFI, RFA, RFP) 

Why participate in NIIMBL-led programs?

  • Build your organization’s authority as, and connection to, industry leadership
  • Ensure the strategic direction of the industry aligns with your organization’s interests
  • Access your organization’s current state relative to others in the space
  • Access and leverage real-time “market research” and advanced technologies from a broad cross-section of the community to inform your own strategic direction
  • Help your employees/colleagues build expertise, industry awareness, and leadership skills

Big data
Process intensification
Vaccine manufacturing
Viral vector manufacturing & analytics

Big data

Mission
Accelerate the development and adoption of data-driven innovation and standards to increase the speed and resilience of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Vision
Data-driven technologies optimize the productivity of biopharmaceutical manufacturing and accelerate the delivery of high-quality medicines to patients.

Learn more about Big Data Program

Process intensification

By 2029, the PI program proposes to invent, design, demonstrate, and support commercialization of integrated biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology to transform drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) manufacturing capability, enabling the following:

  • Improved control, robustness, and security of supply
  • Dramatically reduced capital and operating cost so it is much less of a barrier to the availability of capacity, innovation, or change, and supports global access to biologics medicines
  • Flexibility of facilities and equipment to supply an extremely diverse and changing portfolio of products in the face of uncertainty and changing volume demand
  • Faster product development and supply chain velocity
  • Sustainable raw materials, components, and energy use


Learn more about Process Intensification Program

Vaccine manufacturing

Mission
Accelerate the implementation of new vaccine manufacturing technologies across multiple platform processes by addressing workforce and technology issues that U.S. and global vaccine manufacturers and suppliers face and establishing a Center of Excellence for Vaccine Analytics and Assays.

Vision
Accelerate the production of innovative vaccines by ensuring that both U.S.-based and global vaccine manufacturers and suppliers have adequate support to implement advanced manufacturing and product characterization processes.

Learn more about Vaccine Manufacturing Program

Viral vector manufacturing & analytics

Mission
Develop and make broadly available a robust, economically viable, shared-access platform for the technical development, manufacturing, and characterization of AAV-based gene therapy vectors. Ensure that workforce training for this platform can integrate into existing curriculum or training models to encourage adoption, and integrate improvements into the platform based on feedback from these training programs.

Vision
A gene-based therapeutics industry capable of serving patients across the full spectrum of unmet needs—from prevalent indications to ultra-rare diseases—that has access to high-quality viral vectors without cost or speed limitations.

Learn more about Viral Vectors Program

Big dataarrow down

Big data

Mission
Accelerate the development and adoption of data-driven innovation and standards to increase the speed and resilience of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Vision
Data-driven technologies optimize the productivity of biopharmaceutical manufacturing and accelerate the delivery of high-quality medicines to patients.

Learn more about Big Data Program

Process intensificationarrow down

Process intensification

By 2029, the PI program proposes to invent, design, demonstrate, and support commercialization of integrated biopharmaceutical manufacturing technology to transform drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) manufacturing capability, enabling the following:

  • Improved control, robustness, and security of supply
  • Dramatically reduced capital and operating cost so it is much less of a barrier to the availability of capacity, innovation, or change, and supports global access to biologics medicines
  • Flexibility of facilities and equipment to supply an extremely diverse and changing portfolio of products in the face of uncertainty and changing volume demand
  • Faster product development and supply chain velocity
  • Sustainable raw materials, components, and energy use


Learn more about Process Intensification Program

Vaccine manufacturingarrow down

Vaccine manufacturing

Mission
Accelerate the implementation of new vaccine manufacturing technologies across multiple platform processes by addressing workforce and technology issues that U.S. and global vaccine manufacturers and suppliers face and establishing a Center of Excellence for Vaccine Analytics and Assays.

Vision
Accelerate the production of innovative vaccines by ensuring that both U.S.-based and global vaccine manufacturers and suppliers have adequate support to implement advanced manufacturing and product characterization processes.

Learn more about Vaccine Manufacturing Program

Viral vector manufacturing & analyticsarrow down

Viral vector manufacturing & analytics

Mission
Develop and make broadly available a robust, economically viable, shared-access platform for the technical development, manufacturing, and characterization of AAV-based gene therapy vectors. Ensure that workforce training for this platform can integrate into existing curriculum or training models to encourage adoption, and integrate improvements into the platform based on feedback from these training programs.

Vision
A gene-based therapeutics industry capable of serving patients across the full spectrum of unmet needs—from prevalent indications to ultra-rare diseases—that has access to high-quality viral vectors without cost or speed limitations.

Learn more about Viral Vectors Program

Workforce programs

NIIMBL is committed to helping the biopharmaceutical industry solve workforce shortages by creating awareness of biopharmaceutical careers and fostering industry and academic connections.

NIIMBL eXperience

The NIIMBL eXperience is a hands-on, expenses-paid week-long program for college first years and sophomores to gain real-world insight into career possibilities in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

It’s also an opportunity for NIIMBL academic or non-profit Member organizations to serve as regional lead organizations that will plan, recruit students, and run a NIIMBL eXperience program in their region.

Faculty fellows

The NIIMBL Faculty Fellows program provides financial support for faculty or instructional staff at universities and community colleges to pursue a sabbatical either at an industry member or at NIIMBL’s Headquarters in Delaware to support NIIMBL-led projects.

Become a member

We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.