Funding To Coordinate International TB and TB/HIV Research

Could your team and institution provide central coordination and support for tuberculosis (TB) and TB/human immunodeficiency virus (TB/HIV) research? Consider the new NIAID funding opportunity announcement (FOA) Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis (RePORT) International Coordinating Center (RICC) (U01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed).

Scientific Scope

The national RePORT networks (India, Brazil, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Philippines, and any other new members) share a mission to:

• Advance regional and international TB and TB/HIV science.
• Strengthen regional and global TB/HIV research capacity and infrastructure.
• Foster multinational research collaboration. 

As the successful RICC awardee, you will enable coordination and acceleration of TB and TB/HIV research across all of the RePORT networks and foster a synergistic approach among them. You will also establish and maintain required infrastructure to enable network research.

Note the following objectives for the RICC:

• Identify, catalyze, and guide trans-network TB and TB/HIV research, including with external partners
• Maintain RePORT data and sample collection standards for member networks
• Guide member networks on implementing best practices for clinical research, as needed
• Facilitate data harmonization, standardization, and multiregional data workflow
• Develop and maintain analytic standards and strategies for data and specimen collection. Plan and support a decentralized approach to research projects when needed (e.g., to overcome export limits on specimens or data from member countries)
• Support other administrative functions, e.g., the RePORT tool kit, annual meeting, and RePORT International website

In your application, propose a RICC structure that would allow your team to deliver efficient coordination, timely research outputs, and responses to evolving research priorities. Check the FOA for further requirements and details on structure, governance, protocol development and implementation, management support, research priorities, and more.

Award and Application Specifics

NIAID intends to commit $4 million in fiscal year 2023 to fund one RICC award. Your application budget is not limited but needs to reflect the actual needs of your project. Request a project period of no more than five years to fit your scope.

This FOA uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism because the program involves substantial federal scientific or programmatic involvement from NIH staff in project activities. Section VI.2 of the FOA further describes substantial involvement.

For NIAID’s general guidance and advice on U applications and awards, refer to Cooperative Agreements (U).

Your application is due by March 17, 2022. Submit an optional Letter of Intent at least 30 days before the due date.

If you have questions about this FOA or want advice on your application, find contact information for Dr. Sudha Srinivasan in Section VII.