The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to highlight NIAIDs interest in supporting vaccine research and development against enteric viruses. The scope of research supported is in three major topic areas: 1) address gaps in enteric virus research to support the development of a vaccine; 2) develop tools and resources to support vaccine development; and 3) develop and advance new vaccine candidates to prevent infection or severe gastrointestinal disease. This NOSI encourages studies focusing on rotavirus, caliciviruses, astroviruses, and adenoviruses (Types F, G).

The Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) invites applications to conduct research to better understand the basic biology and immunology associated with Cryptosporidium spp. (e.g., Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis), Giardia duodenalis (i.e., Giardia lamblia), and Entamoeba histolytica, including infection-induced mucosal immunity at the site of infection, leading to identification or discovery of new immune-mediated or host-directed interventions as countermeasures.

The NIAID New Innovator Award supports a postdoctoral and other candidates in non-independent positions or newly independent Early Stage Investigators of exceptional creativity who propose novel, original and insightful research concepts with the potential to produce a major impact, test scientific paradigms, or advance key concepts on broad, important problems in biomedical research of priority to NIAID. Applications proposing unexpected convergence of disciplines, new scientific directions, or the use of novel methodologies are encouraged.