The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is preparing to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) Linked Clinical Research Centers, aimed at expanding an international cardiac surgery research platform. This initiative will focus on integrating various areas of research, including interventional cardiology, peri-operative care, dissemination and implementation science, circadian medicine, and mechanistic science, to enhance the health outcomes of adults with cardiovascular disease and related neurologic complications. The platform will also serve as a training ground for future clinical trialists and implementation researchers, fostering collaboration among academia, small businesses, and other stakeholders. While applications are not currently being solicited, interested parties are encouraged to prepare for future submissions, with the estimated synopsis post date set for February 2, 2026, and the estimated project start date anticipated for January 1, 2027. For further inquiries, potential applicants can contact Dr. Kathleen Fenton at kathleen.fenton@nih.gov or by phone at 301-221-7865.