SAN ANTONIO, TX — June 25, 2026 — The Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomed, a national leader in biomedical research and primate care, has been awarded a renewed P51 base grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant, valued at approximately $37.5 million over the next five years, will fund research, infrastructure, animal care and veterinary services that enable innovation in human and animal health.
SNPRC is one of only seven National Primate Research Centers funded by the NIH. The center provides investigators from Texas Biomed and institutions across the country with access to specialized animal models and scientific expertise that accelerate biomedical discovery. Research conducted at SNPRC has contributed to advances in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases affecting global health.
“SNPRC plays a vital role in advancing discoveries that improve human and animal health, while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and scientific excellence,” said Corinna Ross, Ph.D., Director of the Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomed. “This award reflects the exceptional work of our scientists, veterinarians and staff and ensures that we can continue providing critical resources for biomedical research nationwide.”
Animal models remain an essential part of the biomedical research process, helping scientists better understand disease biology and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of potential vaccines, treatments and other medical interventions before they move into clinical testing.
“Animal models continue to be indispensable for answering many of the most important questions in biomedical science,” Dr. Ross said. “At the same time, we are actively advancing and incorporating New Approach Methodologies, or NAMs, including sophisticated cell-based systems and computational models. These approaches complement animal studies, providing researchers with additional tools to answer complex scientific questions while advancing the future of biomedical research.”
The P51 grant provides critical foundational support for primate center research and daily operations. Texas Biomed and its community of local and national supporters have also invested heavily in modernizing SNPRC infrastructure on its 200-acre campus, including opening the new state-of-the-art Health Center this spring. In parallel, federal American Rescue Plan Act funds provided by the City of San Antonio and Bexar County have enabled upgrades to critical water, sewer and electrical infrastructure systems for Texas Biomed and SNPRC, ensuring long-term reliability and resiliency.
The Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health provides the P51 grant under award number P51OD011133.
About the Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomed
SNPRC is one of seven National Primate Research Centers funded by the National Institutes of Health. Established in 1999, SNPRC serves as a national resource for biomedical research, providing specialized expertise, infrastructure and nonhuman primate models that help advance understanding of infectious diseases, aging, genetics, metabolic disorders and other conditions affecting human health. Through collaborations with researchers across the country, SNPRC supports the development of vaccines, therapies and medical interventions that improve lives globally. For more information, please visit snprc.org