The purpose of the summary is to find out if a different drug treatment can improve the success rates of stem cell transplants in people with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).
We Want You to Develop Animal Models for Hepatitis B and C
If you can develop small animal models or surrogate virus-host systems for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) research, consider applying to the new NIAID notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) Animal Models for Hepatitis B and C (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Scientific Purpose
As detailed in the NOFO, your R01 application should describe plans to develop either of the following:
Convenient small animal models that will support infection and replication of HBV and/or HCV, ideally leading to the dichotomous outcomes of clearance and persistence. As an example of one plausible path, these animal models could transiently or constitutively express known receptors for viral entry and other necessary replication factors.
Closely related surrogate virus-host systems and robust xenotransplantation models with significant improvements to humanized mice dually engrafted with human liver cells and human immune systems.
Although the immunological parameters that determine protection against infection, clearance of acute infection, and progression to chronicity are not fully understood, your research could correlate each outcome with distinct states of adaptive, humoral, and innate immunity that can be measured and may be used as biomarkers.
Your models for use in vaccine development should be validated by their capability to elicit HBV- or HCV-specific immune responses. Models for anti-HBV drug development should be validated by their response to currently available directly acting antiviral (DAA) drugs and their ability to test for suppression of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).
Due Date, Budget, and More
NIAID intends to commit $3.6 million in fiscal year 2024 to fund three to five R01 awards. This NOFO does not support clinical trials.
Request a project period that fits the scope of your proposed research, up to a maximum of 5 years. Your application budget is not limited but be sure to propose a budget that reflects the actual needs of the project.
Your deadline to apply is August 25, 2023, by 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization. Be sure to submit your optional Letter of Intent at least 30 days beforehand.
For advice on your application and project plans, reach out to the scientific/research contact Dr. Rajen Koshy at rkoshy@niaid.nih.gov or 240-627-3294. Direct your peer review and grants management inquiries to the relevant contacts in Section VII of the NOFO.
Contact Us
Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.
Scanning electron micrograph of a clump of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria (green) in the extracellular matrix, which connects cells and tissue.
Credit:NIAID
Add Staphylococcus epidermidis to the list of common human bacteria undergoing an image change: From bad reputation of “disease causing” to something helpful – and likely interesting to probiotic users.
S. epidermidis is known as a bacterium that usually colonizes harmlessly on the skin, but can be dangerous when it invades deeper, say through a cut or – more commonly – a surgical implant, such as a catheter. Once established internally, the bacterium can form biofilms that are difficult to treat with antibiotics. S. epidermidis is of particular concern in healthcare settings because it often spreads easily in people who are ill or have weakened immune systems.
The bacterium’s new image is aided by research findings just published by NIAID scientists and colleagues in Cell Host and Microbe. The group showed that S. epidermidis produces enzymes, known as sphingomyelinase, that help the bacteria acquire nutrients and colonize the skin. But the bacterial enzymes also help the skin produce ceramides, which are important components of the outer skin layers that prevent drying and aging of the skin. Low ceramide levels contribute to many skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema. With colleagues from Shanghai Jiaotong University in China, the NIAID scientists identified how the mutually beneficial relationship works.
The study used research mice and samples from the faces and armpits of human volunteers to verify that S. epidermidis produces sphingomyelinase and that the enzyme is not harmful. In the mice, they then found that the presence of S. epidermidis on the skin significantly increases ceramide levels and prevents water loss from damaged skin. Then they discovered that these processes are entirely dependent on the sphingomyelinase that the bacteria secrete.
Their study points out that – much like in the gut, where scientists are learning about the balance between good and bad bacteria – the same type of harmony takes place on the skin.
“Our study underlines the potential translational use of S. epidermidis in a probiotic fashion to promote skin health during aging or in people suffering from skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis,” the authors state. Such an undertaking would involve a complex clinical trial involving hospitals and clinicians, so nothing is set, though the scientists plan to discuss how and where such a study could proceed. Another NIAID research team has shown in a small study that a probiotic therapy reduced severity of eczema symptoms in children.
Reference: Y Zheng, et al. Commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to skin barrier homeostasis by generating protective ceramides. Cell Host and Microbe DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2022.01.004 (2022).
Research fields, such as genomics, proteomics, and systems biology, are creating a wealth of information about infectious and immune-mediated diseases. Through the use of advanced technologies, researchers are developing a clearer understanding of pathogens, disease, and host immunity.
The incidence of tickborne infections in the United States has risen significantly within the past decade. Due to this increase, it is becoming more important that public health officials and scientists improve their understanding of pathogenesis, design improved diagnostics, and develop preventive vaccines for tickborne illnesses.
The NIAID/Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) Systems Biology Consortium for Infectious Diseases is a group of interdisciplinary scientists that bridge disparate scientific disciplines including microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases, microbiome, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, computational biology, machine learning, statistical methods, and mathematical modeling
K.J. Kwon-Chung, Ph.D., is the Chief of the Molecular Microbiology Section. The Molecular Microbiology Section is focused on the pathobiology of Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus, two of the most common and serious fungal pathogens that primarily affect immunocompromised patients. Both C. neoformans and A. fumigatus are environmental pathogens that cause life-threatening systemic disease upon inhalation.
If you are a faculty or staff member or belong to a student organization at an academic institution in the U.S. or its territories and would like the NIAID Office of Research Training & Development to host an information session with your students or members of your organization, please complete this brief form.
Host response to helminth infection and pathogenesis of helminthic disease Modulation of immune responses in co-infections and comorbidities such as tuberculosis (TB), viral infections, undernutrition, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus by helminth infections Immune responses, pathogenesis and biomarker discovery in pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, and the effect of co-infections and
Last Reviewed: August 3, 2022
Postdoc Spotlight – National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024
In honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024, the NIAID Office of Research Training and Development is recognizing NIAID postdocs who enrich the NIAID training community through their outstanding mentorship. The following postdocs were nominated by their postbac mentees for their exemplary mentorship. Read about their research contributions and mentoring philosophies here.
Kyle O’Donnell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Virology
My research focuses on emerging viruses, particularly filoviruses. I use flow cytometry and immunological assays to characterize immune responses to vaccination and filovirus challenge. My work involves cell culture studies as well as several animal models, ranging from mice to non-human primates, and has two primary areas of focus. The first is characterizing the complete functionality profile of the humoral immune response, including neutralization and Fc effector function analysis. The second is understanding the cellular immune response. I have a particular interest in analyzing early natural killer cell phenotypes and memory T-cell phenotypes.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Good mentorship is built on a two-way relationship of trust between the mentor and the mentee. I strive to give my mentees guidance and a framework to succeed, ensuring they have the proper training and skillsets needed to be successful in the lab. I have found that communicating expectations clearly, starting slow, and building up responsibilities sets the mentees up for success as they gain experience in their new research environment. Once the mentee has fully grasped the methodologies associated with their project, I give them the freedom to manage their work schedule and experimental timelines within set expectations. More importantly, I believe it is critical to give mentees the freedom to learn how to best manage expectations, drive their project, and view science from a bench-side perspective. I strongly believe allowing guided freedom cultivates a true passion for science because the mentee develops individual problem-solving strategies or realizes that perhaps another career path may be more suited for them. Regardless, either outcome is an absolutely wonderful achievement.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
For a successful mentor-mentee relationship, both parties must cultivate trust in one another from the start. Maintaining open communication and meeting often allows the mentor to set clear expectations and the mentee to advocate for what they need for their career development.
Emma Price, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics
My postdoctoral work focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of two key proteins, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and CCCTC binding factor-Like (CTCFL), across various biological contexts, including neurodevelopment, spermatogenesis, cancer, and aging. My research primarily involves the development and application of a novel humanized mouse model to investigate the role of Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS), also known as CTCFL, in its normal cellular environment, specifically in spermatogonia, as well as in abnormal cellular contexts, such as tumorigenesis. The goal of this research is to provide tissue-specific insights that could lead to the development of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for cancers associated with aberrant BORIS activation.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Mentorship has been crucial in my career. Reflecting on my journey, the guidance I received from good mentors profoundly impacted my development as a research scientist, helping me realize my potential and gain the confidence to take the next steps. Personally, I think it starts with truly listening to what your mentees aim to achieve, understanding their goals, and working together to tailor their experiences to meet those goals. Every mentee is unique—some may have well-defined plans, such as pursuing medical school or specializing in a specific research field, while others are still exploring their options and might need more guidance. As a mentor, it is essential to recognize these differences and adapt your approach to effectively support each individual's journey. By acknowledging their individual strengths and areas for growth, you can provide guidance, training opportunities, and tasks that best align with their aspirations.
Successful mentorship also means being approachable and maintaining open lines of communication. It involves being patient and understanding that mentees may sometimes need extra support, whether in relation to their lab work or personal challenges. Creating an environment where mentees feel comfortable discussing their concerns is vital. Being friendly and supportive goes a long way in building the trust necessary for effective mentorship. Furthermore, mentorship in science is not just about providing guidance—it is about fostering growth. This means helping mentees become more knowledgeable and skilled, setting clear expectations, and allowing them the opportunity to take the lead on their tasks. Encouraging independence builds their confidence and prepares them to stand on their own. Ultimately, mentorship is about creating an environment where mentees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow into capable and confident scientists.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Listen to your mentees’ goals, tailor their experiences to support their unique paths, and always be approachable. Good mentorship is about building trust, clear communication, and empowering the next generation of scientists to be skillful, knowledgeable, and confident.
Jordan Chang, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, DNA Tumor Virus Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases
During a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the virus hijacks a wide array of host proteins to aid in its own replication. Within a replication focus, the virus must replicate its DNA genome and transcribe its viral transcripts all while keeping its own viral expression limited to evade the host immune response. However, it is unknown how these various processes are compartmentalized within given foci. My current work focuses on exploring the spatiotemporal organization of viral and host factors within HPV replication foci under the guidance of Alison McBride, Ph.D.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
To be honest, I never saw myself as a mentor to any of my lab mates or students. I merely offered help when someone approached me with a question or a problem that I have experience with. Perhaps that is my approach to mentorship. A good mentor is different than being a good teacher. While teaching is regimented and deliberate in relaying as much information as possible, effective mentorship is giving the pertinent information needed to address a particular problem. It is not about having all the right answers or showing how much detail you know about a particular topic. Instead, it is about conversing with your mentee as a peer to work through the problem together. The relationship a mentor has with their mentee and how we as mentors interact with them is what defines good mentorship. Successful mentorship uplifts the mentee’s confidence in their own skills and inspires them to want to pursue the topic further. Through my many years of studies, I have had many mentors in my life. I find that I was more motivated and inspired when my mentor and I were speaking like colleagues rather than a teacher talking to a student or trainee. Collegial discussions helped build my confidence as a scientist to ask questions and critically assess data. These interactions truly fostered my critical thinking and research skills; they created a space that allowed me to make mistakes and entertain my ideas without fear.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Treat your mentees as peers. Our job as mentors is not to make them feel as though we are a second boss for them to report to, but rather a colleague who they can trust to bring up problems and guide them through the problem-solving process.
Maya Sangesland, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Immunoengineering Section, Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center
My research centers on using vaccines to interrogate basic principles of immunology. For example, we are curious about understanding public B cell immunity, which is an adaptive immune response that is recurrent, highly similar, and shared across many genetically unrelated individuals. Critically, public B cells and antibodies tend to be highly protective against pathogens or groups of pathogens. Thus, understanding their origin and development as well as how to best elicit B cell responses through vaccination is key for not only generating protective immunity but also for developing effective vaccines.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
I have been very fortunate to have had great mentors throughout my scientific training, from which I have come to understand the importance of mentorship to the overall trainee experience. In graduate school, I was given the advice to “pick the mentor over the scientific research.” As a postdoctoral fellow, there are certain key elements from my previous experiences that I try to incorporate day-to-day while mentoring my trainees. First, I aim to create an overall positive environment where mentees feel comfortable asking questions, exchanging ideas, and are supported no matter their goals. With this in mind, I prioritize being available to answer quick questions or to have longer discussions if needed. Even now, I find my previous mentors are still readily available, even if it is via a quick email. Second, I believe that the mentor-mentee relationship should be one of equals, where junior trainees are respected and treated as future peers and not just a pair of hands. They are active contributors that help drive the project forward. From my experience, having the respect of my mentors allowed me to develop a sense of ownership and excitement for science, which is something I hope to instill now in my trainees. At the end of the day, I hope to show that it is possible to have fun while doing good science.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Every trainee has different needs, and as a postdoc, it is important to start where they are and understand what they need to succeed.
Morgan Brisse, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit, Laboratory of Viral Diseases
My research in the Viral Immunity and Pathogenesis Unit led by Heather Hickman, Ph.D., focuses on how several aspects of the host immune system uniquely contribute to antiviral responses. Key areas include the contribution of the lymphatic system towards regulating antibody circulation, the behavior of monocytes recruited to sites of skin infection, and the interplay between viral infection and vascular permeability. We aim to guide our research using the increasing specificity against cellular, viral, and anatomical targets that has become available for modern medical treatment.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Like any other mentor, I seek to emulate mentors that have made a positive difference in my scientific career. Many of my most memorable and positive mentorship experiences are of the people who shared their own struggles from their times as early scientists. Laboratory research requires a lot of time, knowledge, and skill development to start generating any interpretable results, and there are many points during one’s start in science where a person can get derailed if not properly supported and encouraged. We all pass down scientific knowledge and our troubleshooting techniques, but we also gain something from sharing more generalized experiences of becoming a scientist. Sharing generalized scientific experiences helps equalize us as a team of people who have faced similar challenges and allows us to share celebrations in our successes. We also can see how much we all grow as scientists when we are on the same team, which I think is perhaps the most satisfying part of mentorship.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Mentorship is an investment of your current efforts into your future performance. While it requires time and patience up front, you will be rewarded with a cohesive team that learns from each other and delivers quality science.
My research focuses on lung alveolar epithelial damage and repair following infection with respiratory viruses that cause severe disease. We have established human lung organoid models to study the comparative pathogenesis of multiple respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, Nipah virus, and H5N1 influenza A virus in human alveolar epithelium. Going forward, we are developing novel human lung organoid-based models to include additional relevant cell types and to facilitate studies of alveolar differentiation and tissue repair. This work will help us identify new host-targeted therapeutic strategies to treat severe lower respiratory tract infections.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Mentoring trainees is one of the most rewarding parts of science and has really contributed to my scientific development over the years. Supportive and engaged mentors opened the door for my scientific career, and I aim to provide the same level of support for my mentees to help them accomplish their goals. I have had the opportunity to mentor three postbaccalaureate fellows while at NIH. I have learned a lot from each of them and I am very proud of their scientific and professional development. To me, good mentorship involves understanding your mentee’s individual goals and learning styles as well as tailoring your mentorship to meet their needs. Leading by example and honestly discussing mistakes when you make them helps to create an open and constructive environment where mentees can learn and ask questions without judgement. Making yourself approachable, and encouraging other lab members to do the same, helps new and junior trainees feel comfortable participating in group discussions. This first step can be something simple, like connecting with them over a shared hobby or interest. Lastly, the most important (and most rewarding) aspect of mentorship from my perspective is helping trainees develop into independent scientists. Promoting scientific curiosity through discussion and helping them follow up experimentally on their ideas is important. Trainees bring fresh perspectives and ideas that can challenge the status quo, and it is exciting to see them take research in unexpected directions.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
Great mentors lead by example. Discovering your mentee’s learning style and fostering a supportive environment with open and honest communication will help you and your mentee become a successful team.
Samantha Crane, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology
My research in the Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism Unit is focused on understanding the significance of peptide acquisition systems in the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia hermsii, during their enzootic cycle. As these pathogens are transmitted via hard or soft tick vectors, my research uses tick and murine models as well as in vitro approaches. My research background has focused on host-pathogen interactions and host responses, so I try to integrate these topics into my current work, which is primarily focused on bacteriology and molecular biology techniques.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Good mentorship exists inside and outside of the laboratory. In the beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship in the lab, I aim to assist without being overbearing to develop a mentee’s confidence and independence. I typically ask a mentee how comfortable they are with a technique and decide from there how involved I need to be in instructing. I usually start by modeling how a technique or experiment is done and then check in with the trainee throughout these processes. Over time, comfort and independence develop. Good mentorship also includes helping mentees understand why they are doing the work they do. I try to explain the big picture of a project frequently to contextualize smaller experiments that fit into the big picture and the main research question. I also strive to take a mentoring approach that emphasizes a growth mindset. It is particularly important for early career mentees who are developing resilience strategies to understand that failures and unexpected outcomes are important for growth and development. Failures and unexpected outcomes happen to everyone, and each opportunity is a chance to learn and grow.
Outside of the lab, effective mentorship means helping mentees achieve their goals. While it is easier for me if a trainee wants to follow my direct career path, it is unrealistic to expect or prepare for only this. I check in with my mentees to see what they are interested in and offer them advice or resources that align with their interests to nurture them. At conferences, I point out sessions and talks that would interest them and introduce them to people I know in order to help with networking. I aim to pay forward good mentorship shown to me in my career by helping mentees get farther than I have gotten in my career.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
The list of things to do is never-ending and there’s limited time to finish them. However, patience, empathy, and communication with mentees is critical. Self-care is also crucial for good mentorship. Mentors need to take care of themselves to effectively guide their mentees.
My research work focuses on the role of host E3 ubiquitin ligases in the defense against disease-causing pathogens, with a special interest in Toxoplasma gondii and SARS-CoV-2 infection. During infection, pathogens alter cellular pathways in their host cell to maintain their biological niche. Identification of such pathways and the mechanisms involved during these processes are another aspect of my postdoctoral research. In general, our study will provide deeper insight into how the pathogen uses the host’s cellular network for their development and how the host counters and restricts the pathogen’s growth.
What Good Mentorship Means to Me
Successful mentorship is more than just giving advice; it entails developing a supportive, trust-based relationship in which the mentor actively listens, offers constructive feedback, and assists the mentee in setting and achieving meaningful goals. It requires empathy, patience, and a genuine interest in the mentee's development, as well as a commitment to providing knowledge and sharing experiences that can assist with problem solving. Finally, it is about encouraging the mentee to build their own talents and confidence while nurturing a pleasant, progressive atmosphere.
My Advice to Postdoctoral Mentors
I believe that good mentoring begins with attentively listening to your mentee to understand their objectives and obstacles. Collaborate to establish specific, attainable goals, and give constructive and supportive feedback. Sharing your experiences and lessons learnt might provide helpful insights. Encourage your mentee to take the initiative and make individual decisions while staying accessible for advice. Be patient and adaptive, knowing that progress takes time, and that each mentee is unique.
Scanning electron micrograph of an H9 T cell with HIV, colorized orange and green.
Credit:NIAID
by Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H., NIAID Director
The HIV research community is led by scientists with deep personal commitments to improving the lives of people with and affected by HIV. Some researchers, like me, have pursued this cause since the start of the HIV pandemic, growing our careers studying HIV from basic to implementation science. Our collective decades of work have generated HIV testing, prevention and treatment options beyond what we could have imagined in the 1980s. Those advances enable NIAID to explore new frontiers: expanding HIV prevention and treatment modalities, increasing understanding of the interplay between HIV and other infectious and non-communicable diseases, optimizing choice and convenience, and building on the ever-growing knowledge base that we need to develop a preventive vaccine and cure. The next generation of leaders will bring these concepts to fruition, and we need to welcome and support them into the complex and competitive field of HIV science.
Click below for a video in which NIAID grantees and I discuss the value and experience of early-stage HIV investigators (the audio described version is here):
NIAID wants to fund more new HIV scientists and we have special programs and funding approaches to meet that goal. This week, the NIH Office of AIDS Research will host a virtual workshop on early-career HIV investigators tomorrow, April 24, and NIAID will host its next grant writing Webinars in May, June, and July.
For more information about programs and support for new and early-stage investigators as well as people starting to implement their first independent grant, visit these NIAID and NIH resources:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is focusing on preparing for a range of other viral threats that could cause a public health emergency, and according to NIAIDs new Pandemic Preparedness Plan, the institute will direct its preparedness efforts on two fronts.
NIAID conducts and supports research to understand how influenza strains emerge, evolve, infect and cause disease (called pathogenesis) in animals and humans.
Concepts represent early planning stages for program announcements, requests for applications, notices of special interest, or solicitations for Council's input. If NIAID publishes an initiative from one of these concepts, we link to it below. To find initiatives, go to Opportunities & Announcements. Note: Council approval does not guarantee that a concept will become an initiative. Table of
Last Reviewed: July 25, 2024
Conduct Multidisciplinary Research on Hepatitis B Cure in Persons Living with HIV and HBV
We aim to establish observational patient cohorts of people living with HBV to facilitate multidisciplinary research in basic, translational, and clinical arenas, which in turn should accelerate understanding of HBV cure in PLWH.
Research Objectives and Scope
Apply if you can develop research projects to identify novel host and viral factors that underlie disease mechanisms with an emphasis on identifying immunotherapies, novel drug targets, and biomarkers for HBV cure. Your application should combine at least one clinical research project and one basic or translational research project to accelerate discovery and increase clinical impact.
Focus on the study of primary viral isolates from different genotypes and include objectives that address multiple stages of the natural life cycle of HBV in PLWH.
Examples of research areas of interest include:
Determining the impact of host and viral heterogeneity on disease progression, persistence, immunopathology, and the impact on therapeutic outcomes including HBV or HIV drug resistance.
Elucidating the live microenvironment in distinct stages of chronic HBV and the impact of HBV viral infection on the immunological response.
Measuring the size of the latent HBV reservoir and designing targeted approaches to eradicate the persistent reservoir (e.g., cccDNA, iDNA).
Determining the clinical impact of HBV iDNA on the immune response.
Discovering and developing new surrogate markers that predict progression through the different stages of chronic HBV, including the immune response, inflammation (e.g., hepatic flares), liver injury, and indicators or predictors of treatment response.
Developing noninvasive diagnostic tools to assess stages of HBV disease progression, liver injury, and hepatic flares.
Clinical sites must be in locations with high incidence or prevalence of chronic HBV in PLWH. They must have an established infrastructure, including experienced local investigators capable of conducting multidisciplinary clinical studies that meet U.S. regulatory requirements for human subject protection; adequate laboratory facilities and personnel to perform protocol-specific tests; access to patient populations that are suitable to study people living with HBV and HIV; track record of successful enrollment of volunteers in clinical studies; and expertise in virology and immunology.
You should leverage existing clinical data and sample repositories from previously funded cohort studies, such as:
Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (MACS/WIHS) Combined Cohort Study
African Cohort Study (AFRICOS)
Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
AIDS Clinical Trials Group Longitudinal Linked Randomized Trials (ALLRT)
D.C. Cohort Longitudinal HIV Study (DC cohort)
CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS)
Finally, your application should include a cross-disciplinary team of investigators that engages preclinical and clinical researchers in HBV and HIV. Try to include early career scientists where possible (e.g., research track investigators, staff scientists, and assistant-level professors).
Other Program Components
In addition to at least two synergistic research projects (again, one clinical and one basic or translational), this multi-component program also requires an administrative core, at least two scientific cores (but no more than four), a shared resource core, and a statistical and data management center. Those components are detailed in the NOFO.
Your application budget is not limited but must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period, although it cannot exceed 5 years.
Applications are due on March 13, 2024, by 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization.
If you decide to apply, we strongly encourage you to message Dr. Josh Radke, NIAID’s scientific/research contact, at josh.radke@nih.gov or 301-761-6525 to arrange a pre-application meeting to discuss your planned research. He can also answer your questions about the NOFO’s scientific priorities. For concerns related to peer review, instead contact Dr. Kristina Wickham at kristina.wickham@nih.gov or 301-761-5390.
Contact Us
Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.
NIAIDs biodefense pathogen list is periodically reviewed and is subject to revision in conjunction with our federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which determines threat assessments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is responsible for responding to emerging pathogen threats in the United States.
Harry Malech, M.D., is the Deputy Chief of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology and Chief of the Genetic Immunotherapy Section (GIS).
Our basic immunological studies on macrophage biology and our translational research studies on the microbiota are converging toward understanding factors that regulate variation of type-2 immune responses in humans. Using mouse models, field and clinical studies, we plan to test on chromatin remodeling in macrophage responses to type-2 cytokines, as well as helminth-microbiota interactions.
Opportunistic fungal infections represent major causes of morbidity and mortality despite the administration of antifungal therapy. A better mechanistic understanding of host-fungal interactions will inform the development of improved immune-based strategies for the prevention, risk stratification, prognostication, vaccination, and treatment of vulnerable patient populations. In the Fungal
Last Reviewed: February 18, 2025
Bookmark NIH Webinars Page for Upcoming and Past Events on Funding Topics
NIH is hosting webinars for the extramural research community to explain changes that will accompany the FORMS-I transition.
Credit:NIAMSD
If you’ve never done so before, take a moment to browse the video recordings listed on NIH’s Webinars page. The topics covered center around applying for and managing NIH-funded research projects.
Many of the past trainings were produced to accompany implementation of new policies. For example, the October 17, 2023 webinar NIH Subaward Requirements: Domestic and Foreign explains policy changes announced in the September 27, 2023 Guide notice. Suppose you are preparing to establish a subaward for the first time in several years; watching the webinar may prove an easier path to understanding the recently established procedures than would reading policy announcements.
NIH is hosting webinars to explain the planned changes to the extramural research community:
Simplified Review Framework for Research Project Grants
Updates to NIH Training Grant Applications
Revisions to the Fellowship Application and Review Process
NIH also plans to host, but has not yet scheduled, trainings on Common Forms for Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending (Other) Support.
Registration for upcoming trainings is posted on the Webinars page as it becomes available, and a recording of each training is indexed on the page following the live event.
Contact Us
Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.
Jade Riopelle, Postbac, Virus Ecology Section, Laboratory of Virology
Credit:NIAID
By Jade Riopelle, Postbac, Virus Ecology Section, Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML)
I started my postbac in the fall of 2021, right after graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Stanford. Prior to joining the NIH, I conducted computational research, but had never tried wet lab research. With my undergrad education significantly disrupted by the pandemic, I wanted to gain more experience, both in science and in life, before starting medical school. I joined the Virus Ecology Section (VES) to challenge myself scientifically and hoped that moving to RML would allow me to experience living somewhere very different from what I was used to, and I’ve been proven correct so far!
In VES, we study the factors underlying the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, focusing especially on diseases with pandemic potential. If that sounds broad, that’s because it is – one of my favorite things about my lab is how interdisciplinary it is. My main project has been characterizing the intestinal microbiome of a colony of captive Artibeus jamaicensis bats. The idea behind this is that bats are thought to be the reservoir hosts of several viruses that are highly pathogenic in other mammalian species, but do not cause severe disease in bats. In conjunction with a diverse team that includes the Research Technologies Branch and our metabolomics expert, Dr. Benji Schwarz, I’ve established a novel pipeline to characterize the microbiome and the associated intestinal metabolome in a few cohorts of bats.
Our long-term goal is to identify factors in the microbiome that might contribute to immune tolerance and possibly use the microbiome as a predictor of disease states in bats. This would help elucidate virus-host interactions in bats, and the ability to predict infection status from the intestinal microbiome would open many doors to improving our knowledge of infection dynamics in bat populations. In turn, we could use that information to design better strategies for preventing spillover and human infection. Of course, this is all in the distant future, but it’s been exciting to feel as though I’m working on tools that might someday prevent the next pandemic.
Beyond the lab, I’ve also enjoyed the experience of living in a tight-knit community. I’ve especially appreciated all the opportunities I’ve had to get involved in Hamilton, which has allowed me to form relationships outside of just my fellow lab members. With options as diverse as volunteering with hospice patients, adult ballet classes, book clubs at our local bookstore, and all the outdoor recreational activities I could ever want, I’ve been surprised by how much there is to do here.
Though I’ll certainly miss RML when I leave, I feel as though I’ve been well-prepared for my next career step, which is an MD/MPH program. I haven’t yet decided where I’ll be matriculating in the fall, but I’ll be drawing on the knowledge, skills, and mentors I’ve gained at RML as I enter medical school and beyond.
