The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently announced it will publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish Centers for Accelerated Innovations (CAI). According to the NHLBI, the Centers are intended to tackle problems that hinder the critical, early steps necessary to translate novel scientific advances and discoveries into commercially viable diagnostics, devices, therapeutics and tools that improve patient care and advance public health.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement will be published in Spring 2012 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. The receipt date is expected to be in Fall 2012.