Funding News Edition: July 07, 2021 See more articles in this edition
In case you missed it, we want to bring your attention to the June 17, 2021 Notice of Intent To Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern (U19, Clinical Trial Not Allowed). If you are interested, you may want to start planning your application, including developing collaborations and responsive projects, since the target application due date is October 22, 2021.
NIAID expects the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to be published soon.
About the FOA
The purpose of the AViDD program is to support comprehensive multidisciplinary research Centers focused on innovative antiviral drug development targeting coronaviruses (CoVs), emphasizing SARS-CoV-2, and one or more select RNA viruses with pandemic potential from the following families: Paramyxoviruses, Bunyaviruses, Togaviruses, Filoviruses, Picornaviruses, or Flaviviruses.
It is expected that the Centers will provide a substantial pool of antiviral lead series and candidate drugs with the potential to address the immediate threat of SARS-CoV-2, as well as provide antiviral drug candidates that might quickly pivot to address future viral outbreaks or pandemics.
Antivirals of interest include small molecules and biotherapeutics that directly block viral targets to be used as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs.
Identifying and developing oral drug candidates with suitable safety profiles for broad use in the outpatient setting is of particular interest.
Centers and Center Organization
Each Center in the AViDD program will:
- Be organized around a research objective focused on discovering, developing, and/or using one or more antivirals and/or antiviral technologies that target specified RNA viruses with the objective of translating research results to product development.
- Include the following components:
- Administrative Core
- Five to ten interdependent Research Projects
- Optional Scientific Cores, each of which must support at least two Research Projects
Additionally, each Center will establish a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in consultation with NIAID program staff to advise program directors/principal investigators, facilitate Go/No-Go decision making, and recommend new research directions as appropriate.
Each Center will have the opportunity to identify and support Developmental Research Projects that take advantage of emergent technologies and new research opportunities. In addition, each Center will also have the opportunity to mentor new investigators interested in entering the field of antiviral discovery research with the goal of increasing the availability of qualified researchers and other personnel for antiviral discovery.
Funding Information
The estimated annual funding for the AViDD centers is $200 million. The Institute anticipates funding up to eight five-year U19 awards, contingent on availability of funds, and intends to cap direct costs at $15 million.
Webinar and FAQs
NIAID plans to hold an informational webinar as well as provide a website where questions may be submitted and frequently asked questions answered. Stay tuned for more information on both.
Have Questions?
If so, direct them to Dr. Michael Schaefer or Dr. Ann Eakin.