There are no vaccines or other immune-mediated interventions available for treatment or prevention of diseases caused by parasites like Cryptosporidium spp. (e.g., Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis), Giardia duodenalis (i.e., Giardia lamblia), and Entamoeba histolytica. Through our Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Understanding Mucosal Immunity Against Enteric Eukaryotic Pathogens to Advance Discovery of New Interventions, we invite studies to better understand host-pathogen interactions and pathogen-specific immunity at mucosal sites, including infection-induced mucosal immunity at the site of infection, host target identification, antigen or immunogen discovery, and design and testing of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), or host-directed therapies.

As a baseline, you should aim to build on recent breakthroughs in biology of mucosal systems, biology and immunology of mucosal infection, and microbiome research. Leverage emerging technologies such as transfection and molecular genetics, in vitro culture and natural mouse models, imaging or organoid culture, novel vaccinology platforms, mAb or mAb-related approaches, and other host-directed therapy modalities.

Address public health issues associated with the aforementioned group of human pathogens: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Entamoeba histolytica.

Specific research topics could include:

• Parasite biology and host-parasite interaction at mucosal sites.
• Impact of mucosal biology, immunology, nervous system, and microbiome on pathogen pathogenesis and clearance.
• Pathogen-specific immunity, including correlates of protection.
• Establishing biological assays for functional evaluation.
• Developing models that mimic pathophysiology of human disease, e.g., organoids, animals (including nonhuman primates).
• Host target discovery, immunogen design, mAb identification.
• Vaccines, mAb product candidates or mAb-related interventions, or host-directed therapies, especially those using novel platforms.

To apply for this NOSI, submit an application through either the parent R01 or R21 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

You must write “NOT-AI-23-045” in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF 424 R&R form.

Follow the budget and project period constraints listed in the NOFO through which you apply. Refer to NIH’s Standard Due Dates for application deadlines.

If you have any questions, contact one of NIAID’s scientific/research contacts for the initiative: Dr. Annie Mo at moa@niaid.nih.gov or 240-627-3320; Dr. John Pesce at john.pesce@nih.gov or 240-627-3343; or Dr. Glen McGugan at gmcgugan@niaid.nih.gov or 240-627-3314.