Key Dates

None

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) intends to publish a limited competition Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to solicit applications from the 12 Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) to assist each in maintaining function at Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) in order to address biodefense, emerging infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness in line with NIAID research priorities.

This Notice is being provided to allow applicants additional time to develop responsive applications. The FOA is expected to be published in early December 2022. A pre-application informational webinar for prospective applicants and their business office is being planned for mid-December; details will be provided at the time the FOA is published. Applicants are welcome to submit questions in advance to labbey@niaid.nih.gov and they will be addressed during the webinar.

The purpose of this limited competition FOA is to provide an opportunity for the Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to request support for costs associated with the everyday operation of the RBL BSL-3 laboratory (BSL-3 refers to RBL-BSL-3s only, and not any other BSL-3 space at the same institution) to facilitate the conduct of research and medical countermeasure development for biodefense, emerging infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness and response.

Research Objectives

To achieve the objectives of this FOA, an RBLs' application for support must consist of the following two required cores, and may contain a third optional core:

• Required: Facility Management, Maintenance and Operation Core activities may include but are not limited to BSL-3 management and oversight.
• Required: BSL-3 Practices Core activities may include but are not limited to the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training for personnel working in the BSL-3 space and associated building systems.
• Optional: Biocontainment Research Support Service(s) Core an optional component that would provide specialized services essential to support research activities in the BSL-3. Examples of efforts that may be supported could include shared laboratory services and equipment, support for state-of-the-art emerging technologies, and staff with specialized scientific expertise.

The following activities are considered non-allowable costs and will not be funded:

• Direct costs for expenses that are covered by the recipient's negotiated indirect cost rate agreement
• Costs for purchasing equipment are allowable only to replace existing BSL-3 equipment, or if required for operating the RBL at a BSL-3, or if required to establish the optional Biocontainment Research Support Service(s) Core (as approved by NIAID program); no other equipment purchases are allowable costs
• Construction, renovation, or modernization of building systems
• Conduct of research and purchase of research supplies and reagents
• Purchase of animals, animal housing, or animal per diem costs

TBD

Applications are not being solicited at this time.

Mark S. Williams, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-627-3327
Email: mark.williams4@nih.gov