Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for The Road to Prevention of Stillbirth (UG1 Clinical Trial Optional)

Key Dates

March 15, 2024- Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for The Road to Prevention of Stillbirth (UM2).  See Notice NOT-HD-24-010.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite applications to establish integrated and collaborative Stillbirth Research Centers, as part of a new Stillbirth Research Consortium.  The Centers will support cutting-edge basic, translational, clinical, and/or data sciences research and generate knowledge to fuel advancement of stillbirth-relevant research in the United States, with a particular emphasis on approaches that utilize an equity lens to identify ways to decrease the incidence of stillbirth in vulnerable populations. A Data Coordinating Center (described in the companion announcement NOT-HD-24-010) will support the work of the research projects funded under the Stillbirth Research Consortium.  

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants additional time to develop meaningful collaborations, interdisciplinary teams, and responsive applications. International collaboration is encouraged and allowable.

The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in Winter 2024.

This NOFO will utilize the UG1 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.
 

The objective goal of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to support integrated and collaborative Stillbirth Research Centers to apply cutting-edge basic, translational and/or data sciences research to generate knowledge for advancement in stillbirth-relevant research across the United States, with a particular emphasis on approaches that utilize an equity lens to identify ways to decrease the incidence of stillbirth in vulnerable populations. The Stillbirth Research Centers will (1) support the development of tools, devices, instrumentation, models, and other technologies that could have a direct clinical or health impact on the incidence of stillbirth; (2) enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying vulnerability to stillbirth; (3) elucidate abnormalities, structural defects, genetic factors, infections, and/or complications that may contribute to stillbirth and investigation of the fetus, placenta, and maternal tissues; and (4) leverage secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to elucidate factors that influence stillbirth risk and related outcomes.

To encourage innovative solutions, it is expected that essential personnel from various related fields (such as medicine, biology, nursing, environmental science, public health, behavioral and social science, biostatistics/statistics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering) will work together to tackle stillbirth-related research. In addition to showcasing the diverse range of disciplines within the team, applications submitted in response to this funding opportunity will be required to submit a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP).

The PEDP will outline how diverse perspectives will be incorporated throughout the project's duration and will be assessed as part of the scientific and technical peer review evaluation. Additionally, it will be taken into account when making funding decisions and considering programmatic aspects. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and incorporating diverse perspectives, this approach aims to facilitate the development of comprehensive and innovative solutions to address stillbirths.

As noted above, international collaboration is encouraged and allowable. 

Further details will be included in the forthcoming NOFO.

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Monica Longo, MD 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 240-204-4605
Email: Monica.Longo@nih.gov 

Megan Mitchell, MPH
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Telephone: 301-827-7950
Email: Megan.Mitchell@nih.gov