NIAID Funding Available for Coccidioidomycosis Vaccine Research

Coccidioidomycosis, more commonly known as Valley fever, is a fungal infection of increasing public health concern with no vaccine currently licensed for prevention. Through Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Advancing Research Needed to Develop a Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) Vaccine, investigators can apply for research funding to address gaps in Coccidioides basic research; develop tools and resources to support vaccine development; and develop and advance vaccines to prevent coccidioidomycosis.

In keeping with the NIAID Strategic Plan For Research to Develop a Valley Fever Vaccine, the initiative will sponsor research in several key areas:

• Address gaps in Coccidioides basic research to support the development of a vaccine
  • Develop genetic tools and molecular resources to delineate Coccidioides biology
  • Improve understanding of Coccidioides biology and life cycle in the host
  • Characterize host responses, including innate and adaptive immunity
  • Characterize virulence factors that aid Coccidioides survival and immune evasion
     
• Develop tools and resources to support Coccidioides vaccine research
  • Advance development of biomarkers that reflect disease progression
  • Develop rapid point-of-care diagnostics
  • Develop cell culture and animal models that reflect human disease
  • Leverage and expand clinical capacity to promote collaboration
     
• Develop and advance vaccines to prevent coccidioidomycosis
  • Support and advance vaccines into preclinical models that exploit emerging antigen design strategies, novel technologies, or platforms
  • Define mechanisms and correlates of vaccine-induced protection
  • Test adjuvants and alternative delivery methods to enhance breadth and durability of immunity
  • Test vaccine candidates in diverse populations

This list of targeted research areas is not meant to be exhaustive; you may pursue complementary topics under the umbrella of developing medical countermeasures for coccidiomycosis.

Project Types

You may apply for a research project grant (R01), exploratory/developmental research grant (R21), small business innovation research grant (R43/R44), or small business technology transfer grant (R41/R42) as part of this initiative. To do so, use one of the following parent funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) or their subsequent reissues:

• NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Required)
• NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) 
• NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21, Clinical Trial Required)
• PHS 2022-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42], Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PHS 2022-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44], Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Regardless of the FOA through which you apply, you must list “NOT-AI-23-007” in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF 424 R&R application form. Otherwise, NIAID will not recognize your application as responsive to this NOSI.

Administrative Details

Requirements pertaining to budget or project period are determined by the FOA through which you choose to apply, rather than the NOSI. Additionally, we advise you to pay close attention to the eligibility requirements if you are pursuing a small business award. 

Application deadlines are set by the individual FOAs, although the NOSI’s first available due date is February 5, 2023.

If you have any questions about the NOSI, reach out to Dr. Dona Love, NIAID’s scientific/research contact, at dona.love@nih.gov or 301-761-7788.