Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for In Vivo Non-Invasive Optical Approaches for Biological systems (UG3/HU3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Key Dates

None

Office of Strategic Coordination (Common Fund)

The NIH Common Fund, along with its partner NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, is planning to issue a Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Venture Program Advancing Non-Invasive Optical Approaches in Biological Systems initiative.

The goal of the Advancing Non-Invasive Optical Imaging Approaches for Biological Systems initiative is development of next-generation non-invasive or minimally invasive optical imaging techniques to overcome the problem of light scattering in biological systems resulting in high spatial and temporal resolution optical images fat significantly greater depths within biological tissues than is currently possible.

This initiative will solicit 3-year bi-phasic research projects proposed in UG3/UH3 Phased Innovation Awards Cooperative Agreement applications. Funding for the UG3 phase will be used to demonstrate sufficient preparation, feasibility, and capacity to meet foundational milestone targets specific to the work proposed. A UG3 project that meets its milestones will be administratively considered by NIH and prioritized for transition to the UH3 award.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.

The NOFO is expected to be published in December 2024 with an expected application due date in March 2025.

This NOFO will utilize the UG3/HU3 activity code, Clinical Trial Not Allowed. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

Background

Major advances in medicine and biology have come from imaging techniques such as microscopy, X-ray, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).  Methods such as MRI provide indirect measure of tissue function and have limited ability to capture changes at biological timescale. Current optical imaging techniques that are non-invasive and allow rapid assessment of tissue function and structure suffer from strong light scattering within biological tissues, limiting the penetration depth and resolution. 

This initiative will encourage development of next-generation non-invasive or minimally-invasive optical imaging techniques to overcome these issues and to allow deeper imaging of biological systems with high spatial and temporal resolution This will have a major impact on understanding complex biological mechanisms, diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of diseases, and clinical decision-making.

Applications to this NOFO are expected to generate new knowledge and practical prototype performance in an appropriate biological model system.

This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights into this area of non-invasive optical imaging to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

Announcements and regular updates will be posted on the initiative website:  https://commonfund.nih.gov/venture/nioi. Potential applicants can also register for the listserv: VENTURE-NIOI@LIST.NIH.GOV 

Technical Assistance Webinars

Technical assistance webinars regarding application expectations and program goals will be convened after the NOFO is published. Information about the technical assistance webinars will be posted to the Non-Invasive Optical Imaging FAQs page: https://commonfund.nih.gov/venture/nioi/faqs.

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)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Jonathan Pollockp
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIOI@od.nih.gov