January
2009 DMID Council-Approved Concepts
NB: Concepts represent early planning stages for PAs, RFAs, or solicitations for Council 's input. Council approval does not guarantee that a concept will become an initiative.
If NIAID publishes an initiative from one of these concepts, we link to it below. For a full list of initiatives, go to NIH Funding Opportunities Relevant to NIAID.
Table of Contents
Respiratory Pathogens Research Network
Request for Proposals
Contact: Heidi Holley
Phone: 301-402-0641
Internet: holleyh@niaid.nih.gov
Objective: To maintain a coordinated multidisciplinary research program focused on the development and evaluation of tools and strategies to decrease the global burden of respiratory diseases.
Description: The multidisciplinary research units will support translational and clinical research projects focused on respiratory pathogens and the diseases they cause. Examples of the types of studies that will be supported include:
- Immunology and pathogenesis studies to validate disease models.
- Application of genomic and bioinformatics approaches to aid in the discovery of diagnostics and vaccine targets.
- Role of co-infections in the exacerbation of disease severity.
- Improve our understanding of the innate and adaptive immune response to infection and/or vaccination.
- Assess the etiology and impact of respiratory infections.
- Early evaluation of vaccine candidates, therapeutics, diagnostics, or other prevention/control strategies.
In this renewal, research on the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens such as S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and influenza and the impact of co-infections on disease progression and severity will be a focus. RPRN contractors also develop and make available immunological assays, clinical specimens, reagents, and other resources to the research community and to other DMID-supported programs and projects.
Enterics Research Investigational Network Cooperative Research Centers
For the published initiative, see the June 25, 2009, Guide announcement.
Contact: William Alexander
Phone: 301-496-7051
Internet: alexanderw@niaid.nih.gov
Objective: To support research aimed at understanding enteric diseases in the context of the human host.
Description: This research program seeks to:
- Maintain a coordinated enterics research program that will bring together expertise in microbial ecology and pathogenesis, host response, and clinical research.
- Maintain an inter-disciplinary consortium that addresses a broad range of enteric pathogens that threaten public health.
- Facilitate the use of clinical samples for basic research studies.
- Facilitate and expedite translation of research results into clinical applications.
- Establish a collaborative approach to basic clinical research among institutions.
The ERIN will involve a multi-center effort and a collaborative relationship between ERIN investigators and NIAID program staff.
Development of Technologies to Facilitate the Use of and Response to Biodefense Vaccines
For the published initiative, see the August 18, 2009, solicitation.
Broad Agency Announcement
Contact: Timni Mahase
Phone: 301-451-2569
Internet: mahaset@niaid.nih.gov
Objective: To advance promising vaccine candidate(s) and technologies for select high priority biothreat pathogens.
Description: Plan and implement integrated product development programs that promote efficient advancement of particular vaccines and technologies to be employed in post-event settings. Scenarios for their use might include the intentional release of a biothreat agent or naturally occurring outbreaks of infectious diseases. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, ease of vaccine delivery, reduced time to establish immunity, increased vaccine stability, reduced logistical requirements, etc. Cross-cutting platform technologies potentially applicable to more than one vaccine are also of interest. The product development efforts to be supported include: cGMP process development and manufacturing; product formulation and fill; product characterization and development of release assays; conduct of non-clinical safety and efficacy testing; product stability testing; Phase 1 and potentially early Phase 2 trials; and other appropriate activities.
International Collaborations in Infectious Diseases Research
For the published initiative, see the March 6, 2009, Guide announcement.
Request for Applications
Contact: Polly Sager
Phone: 301-496-1884
Internet: psager@niaid.nih.gov
Objective: To support international scientific research and promote development of research infrastructure in developing countries that is responsive to needs in the field of emerging tropical infectious diseases.
Description: This initiative will support collaborative research on infectious diseases that are endemic in resource-constrained international settings. The research will increase relevant research experience for both U.S. and foreign investigators as well as enhance infrastructure development. Research must focus on a health issue that is of importance to the developing country. Clinical trials will not be permitted, but the initiative may support research that flows from a clinical trial supported elsewhere, and other clinical research.
International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR)
For the published initiative, see the April 8, 2009, Guide announcement.
Request for Applications
Contact: Malla Rao
Phone: 301-451-3749
Internet: mrao@niaid.nih.gov
Objective: To support multidisciplinary research aimed at developing a dynamic, comprehensive picture of malaria transmission and pathogenesis at the field, clinical, and molecular levels.
Description: This new initiative will develop a multidisciplinary approach involving field-, clinical-, and laboratory-based research. The overall objective of this initiative is to expand our knowledge base and guide future research activities to ensure their relevance to having an impact on reduction of morbidity and mortality attributable to malaria. Clinical research and field site capabilities in malaria-endemic areas are essential components, and collaborative arrangements with U.S.-based laboratories would be encouraged. Specifically, this initiative will solicit integrated, multidisciplinary projects addressing research needs in three related areas:
- Studies of vector biology, ecology, behavior, and insecticide resistance in endemic settings.
- Molecular epidemiologic studies of parasite, vector, and host diversity in field settings, including antigenic variants of vaccine candidates and polymorphisms contributing to drug and insecticide resistance.
- Studies of host responses and pathogenesis of malaria.
In addition, pilot projects that address emerging, high priority needs in malaria research and the development of a collaborative training program for the exchange of young investigators among participating institutions will be solicited. Data, information, and reagents generated under this initiative will be put into the public domain through NIAID-supported databases and resource centers (such as the Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center). |
