Notice Number: NOT-AI-16-026

Key Dates
Release Date: January 22, 2016

Issued by
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Purpose

NIAID is issuing this Notice to highlight its interest in research on, and product development for, Zika virus (ZIKV).

Grants

Areas of high priority include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Basic research to understand ZIKV infection, replication, pathogenesis, and transmission;
• Studies to develop animal models to study ZIKV pathogenesis (especially neurological manifestations and teratogenic potential) and evaluate candidate therapeutics and vaccines;
• Studies on the evolution and emergence of ZIKV including the identification of factors that affect host-range and virulence;
• Virologic and serologic surveillance studies of the distribution and natural history of ZIKV in mosquitos, non-human primates and humans, with particular emphasis on hosts(s) reservoirs and cross-species transmission;
• Basic research on the biology of the mosquito vectors, vector competence studies for replication and transmission of ZIKV, host-virus interaction and studies on novel vector control methods;
• Development of sensitive, specific, and rapid clinical diagnostic tests for ZIKV;
• Development of drugs against ZIKV and broad spectrum therapeutics against multiple flavivirus strains, including structure/function studies of ZIKV proteins with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets;
• Evaluation of the immune response to ZIKV infection and/or vaccination including cell-mediated and innate immunity;
• Evaluation of the immunological interactions between ZIKV and other flaviviruses (especially dengue and yellow fever virus); and
• Development of effective ZIKV vaccines and vaccination strategies based on evolving knowledge of host/pathogen interactions and identification of relevant biomarkers.

Possible funding opportunities that can be used to pursue these research activities include:

• PA-13-304, Small Research Grant (Parent R03)
• PA-13-303, Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (Parent R21)
• PA-13-302, Research Project Grant (Parent R01)
• PA-15-269, PHS 2015-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACF for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR)

For other NIAID funding opportunities that may become available in the coming months, please visit the NIAID Funding Opportunities page: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/opportunities.

Inquiries

Please direct grant-related inquiries to:

Patricia Repik, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-627-3354
Email: [email protected]

Preclinical Services

In addition to grant opportunities, NIAID also offers a comprehensive suite of preclinical services and resources (e.g. in vitro testing of candidate therapeutics, assay development, etc.) to help accelerate development of candidate therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics against ZIKV. Please visit the NIAID Preclinical Services page: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-resources.

Please direct preclinical services-related inquiries to:

Vaccines/Immunotherapeutics
Paula Bryant, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-292-4130
Email: [email protected]

Therapeutics
Ann Eakin, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-292-4221
Email: [email protected]

Diagnostics
Randall Kincaid, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-627-3288
Email: [email protected]