Expand Basic Research of Non-Polio Human Enteroviruses

To advance basic research for non-polio human enteroviruses and inform future vaccine and therapeutic development against enteroviruses A, B, C, and D, NIAID issued the new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) Basic Research To Inform Vaccine and Therapeutic Development for Non-Polio Human Enteroviruses (NPEV) (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed).

Researchers have identified over 100 different serotypes of NPEVs, and it is likely that the number of known strains will increase due to high intrinsic mutation rates during replication and high recombination rates between strains.

The most useful countermeasures against NPEVs would be those that are effective against multiple serotypes. However, there is a limited basic understanding of NPEVs that is needed to develop broadly acting countermeasures. 

Research Objectives and Scope

This FOA aims to expand basic research on NPEVs A, B, C, and D to inform future vaccine and therapeutic development. We encourage investigators to advance multidisciplinary and innovative approaches and applications that will advance knowledge to inform development of broad-spectrum antivirals and broadly active vaccines.

Scientific Priorities

NIAID’s areas of research interest include the following:

• Identifying viral epitopes shared by enteroviruses A, B, C, and D
• Understanding cross-reacting B and T cell memory responses
• Identifying broadly neutralizing antibodies against human enteroviruses
• Identifying host or viral targets shared by human enteroviruses
• Determining structures, such as host/viral targets and broadly neutralizing antibodies, both free and bound to target
• Understanding pathogenesis of enteroviruses A, B, C, and D
• Applying new innovative technologies, such as deep learning and single-cell analysis or developing platform technologies that are integral to inform broad-spectrum antiviral or pan-enterovirus vaccine development
• Animal model development to understand the pathogenesis and evaluate vaccine or therapeutic efficacy against non-polio enteroviruses

Nonresponsive Research Areas

If you propose the following types of studies in your application, NIAID will consider your application nonresponsive and not review it:

• Applications whose principal focus is on polio or picornaviruses other than enteroviruses A, B, C, or D
• Research focused solely on one species, strain, or serotype (e.g., multi-clades of EV-D68)
• Research focused solely on screening new or existing antiviral compounds
• Applications that encompass HIV and AIDS research
• Clinical trials (all phases)

Deadline, Budget, and Contact Information

Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. Likewise, the scope of the proposed project should determine the project period, although the maximum project period is five years.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization on July 13, 2021. 

If you have questions about this FOA, contact Dr. Eun-Chung Park, NIAID’s scientific/research contact.