Male Contraceptive Initiative 2026 Core Grants

About this program

Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), a U.S.-based nonprofit, offers core grants for discovery through early clinical development of safe, effective, reversible, non-hormonal male contraceptives, including small molecules, biologics, devices, and other approaches. Awards provide up to $400,000 in total costs over 24 months, with approximately three awards anticipated. Global academic institutions, for-profit organizations, and other entities may apply through an eligible Principal Investigator; proposals must demonstrate scientific rationale, quantifiable milestones, translational potential, and, where applicable, genetic or pharmacological proof of concept. Projects involving female-only delivery, permanent sterility, condoms or other barriers, steroid hormones, active immunity, post-fertilization mechanisms, or targets without human orthologs are ineligible; Letters of Intent are due May 30, 2026, by invitation only for full applications due August 30, 2026.