Dr. Chelsea Bolyard
Chelsea Bolyard, Ph.D. is a Managing Director on the Healthcare Practice Team at McAllister & Quinn, a Washington, D.C.-based federal grants consulting and government relations firm She applies over a decade of research administration expertise to help clients develop biomedical research programs and secure funding, combining strategic, scientific, and project management skills
The NIH C06 Research Facilities Construction Grant Program provides a unique opportunity for research institutions seeking federal funding to modernize or expand biomedical research facilities and infrastructure.
The NIH C06 award, through the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, is offering $2 – 8 million awards for construction, renovation, and fixed infrastructure that supports collaborative biomedical research, research training, and long-term institutional capacity. Competitive projects include modernization of laboratories and core facilities, development of new biomedical research space, and other shared environments serving the broader research community. Importantly, the scientific need should drive facility design, connecting a demonstrated research deficit to the current infrastructure limitation and proposed solution, resulting in enabled research and a long-term institutional impact.
For institutions considering an NIH C06 application, early preparation is critical. The application includes a 13-page narrative, consisting of a one-page overview and 12-page Scientific Justification and Facility Development section, along with professional line drawings, project timelines, vendor quotes, an institutional support letter, property documentation, and a detailed construction budget and justification. Our review of the 10 C06 awards made in 2026 found that most were funded at the full $8 million, with many projects building on existing infrastructure or prior research investments.
With the next application deadline quickly approaching (January 25, 2027), institutions interested in NIH research infrastructure funding should begin aligning scientific priorities, facilities planning, design, and budgeting now. McAllister & Quinn’s Healthcare Practice supports hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and medical schools in developing competitive NIH C06 applications and identifying other extramural funding opportunities. We look forward to connecting with you!
How to Prepare a Competitive NIH C06 Grant Application for 2027
For institutions considering an NIH C06 application, early preparation is critical. The application includes a 13-page narrative, consisting of a one-page overview and 12-page Scientific Justification and Facility Development section, along with professional line drawings, project timelines, vendor quotes, an institutional support letter, property documentation, and a detailed construction budget and justification. Our review of the 10 C06 awards made in 2026 found that most were funded at the full $8 million, with many projects building on existing infrastructure or prior research investments.
With the next application deadline quickly approaching (January 25, 2027), institutions interested in NIH research infrastructure funding should begin aligning scientific priorities, facilities planning, design, and budgeting now. McAllister & Quinn’s Healthcare Practice supports hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and medical schools in developing competitive C06 applications and identifying other extramural funding opportunities. We look forward to connecting with you!
