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Health manufacturing · Biologics manufacturing

Federal funding for biologics and vaccine manufacturers

Vaccines, antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and the plants that make them are a national security priority. Most federal money for biologics comes through manufacturing partnerships, preparedness programs and research awards rather than ordinary bids, so it's easy to miss.

—open federal bids in this field right now
10federal programs that pay for this kind of manufacturing (listed below)
192open and upcoming federal grants mention this work on Grants.gov
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Programs that pay for biologics manufacturing

Many of these don't show up as ordinary grants or bids.

BARDA (HHS)
Pays to develop and manufacture vaccines, drugs, diagnostics and devices for public health emergencies, through its Broad Agency Announcement and its DRIVe startup program.
ASPR Industrial Base & Supply Chain (HHS)
Invests in U.S. production of essential medicines, their ingredients, testing and medical supplies, to cut reliance on overseas plants.
Defense Production Act, Title III (DoD)
Pays to build or expand U.S. production the military depends on, including critical drug ingredients and medical supplies.
JPEO-CBRND (DoD)
Develops and buys medical countermeasures and diagnostics that protect troops from chemical and biological threats.
NIH small business research awards
Research money (SBIR/STTR) for small companies developing new drugs, biologics, diagnostics, devices, and studies of supplements.
NIIMBL
The national institute for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Funds projects and training that improve how biologics are made.
FDA Emerging Technology Program
Early FDA guidance for new ways of making drugs, such as continuous manufacturing, before you file.
NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership
A center in every state offering low-cost help with plant efficiency, quality systems (GMP), cybersecurity and supplier matchmaking.
USDA Business & Industry Loan Guarantees
Federal backing for loans that build plants and buy equipment in rural areas.
SBA 504 loans
Long-term, fixed-rate loans for buildings and major equipment, with as little as 10% down.

Federal grants to know about

Engineering (ENG): Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
U.S. National Science Foundation · Open, rolling
NIAID Resource-Related Research Projects (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health · Due May 24, 2029

From Grants.gov.

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Common questions

Can a small biologics manufacturing company win federal money?

Yes. Many federal bids are reserved for small businesses, and research awards (SBIR/STTR) are only open to them.

What's the difference between a grant and a contract?

A grant funds a project the government wants to support, and you don't deliver a product to the agency. A contract buys goods or services from you. Many companies use grants to develop a product and contracts to sell it.

Can an Opportunity Zone help pay for a new plant?

It can. Investors who put capital gains into a facility in an Opportunity Zone get tax breaks, which can make your project easier to finance. Today's zones end December 31, 2026, and a new map runs 2027 to 2036. Open Purse checks whether your site qualifies.

How do I find the opportunities that fit my company?

Type your company into Open Purse. In about 20 seconds you'll see the open grants, bids, contracts coming up for re-bid, and partnership programs that fit you, each with a plain-English reason and a first step. Searching is free.

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