NOT-AI-02-023: BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health^®
BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Release Date:  May 17, 2002 (see replacement PA-03-080)

NOTICE:  NOT-AI-02-023

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov)

PURPOSES OF THIS NOTICE

To inform the research community of the many research needs and opportunities 
in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases

To encourage the submission of investigator-initiated research grant 
applications in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases

To expedite research leading to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and 
treatment of diseases caused by potential bioterrorism agents

NOTE: FOR DETAILS CONCERNING THE SUBMISSION OF INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED 
RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATIONS, PLEASE SEE 
http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/rfalplat.htm 

BACKGROUND

The President's budget for Fiscal Year 2003 for NIAID includes more than $1 
billion for research leading to the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and 
treatment of diseases caused by agents with the potential to be used for the 
purpose of bioterrorism (see pages 2, 7, and 8 at 
http://www.nih.gov/news/budgetfy2003/2003NIHpresbudget.pdf).

NIAID maintains comprehensive information on its programs in biodefense and 
emerging infectious diseases at 
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/bioterrorism.htm.

SCOPE OF BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROGRAM

The following URLs are links to information on research areas within the 
scope of NIAID's biodefense and emerging infectious diseases program:

o  httphttp://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/bandc_priority.htm identifies 
NIAID category A, B and C priority pathogens 

o  http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/Research/high_priority.htm identifies 
NIAID priority biodefense products  

o  http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/rfalplat.htm identifies 
NIAID priority research topics and staff contacts

BIODEFENSE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH INITIATIVES

In addition to investigator-initiated studies, NIAID has active research 
initiatives in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases and will be 
announcing new targeted research initiatives as Requests for Applications, 
Program Announcements, and Requests for Proposals in the near future. 
Information about the concepts for future research initiatives is available 
at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/budget/concepts/c-biod0502.htm. 

Information on all current NIAID initiatives (PAs, RFAs, and RFPs) and on 
future (Council concept approved) NIAID initiatives can be found at: 
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/budget/in-main.htm. 

INQUIRIES

Inquiries are strongly encouraged.  Opportunities to clarify any issues or 
questions from potential applicants are welcome.  

Based on the area of research, direct inquires regarding scientific, 
technical and programmatic issues to the appropriate staff member listed 
here:

o  Pathogen Replication and Pathogenesis
-  Viruses:  Mark Challberg  Mchallberg@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Genomics: Maria Giovanni  Mgiovanni@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Bacteria and fungi:  Dennis M. Dixon  DMDixon@niaid.nih.gov 
 
o  Epidemiology, natural history and ecology in domestic and/or international 
sites
-  Pathogen host interaction:  Elizabeth Higgs  Ehiggs@niaid.nih.gov     
-  Reservoirs/vectors:  Kate Aultman  Kaultman@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Zoonoses:  Leigh Sawyer  Lsawyer@niaid.nih.gov  

o  Discovery/design and development of vaccines, therapeutics, adjuvants, and 
diagnostics for biodefense
-  Therapeutics:  Diana Berard  Dberard@niaid.nih.gov and Charles Hackett  
Chackett@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Diagnostics, vaccines, adjuvants:  Sonnie Kim Skim@niaid.nih.gov and Helen 
Quill  Hquill@niaid.nih.gov

o  Animal Models of Infection and Immunity
-  Nonviral:  Chris Taylor  Ctaylor@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Viruses:  Pat Repik  Prepik@niaid.nih.gov
-  Innate immunity and immune evasion:  Charles Hackett  
chackett@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Adaptive immunity:  Helen Quill  HQuill@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Genomics and immune responses:  Maria Giovanni  MGiovanni@niaid.nih.gov or 
Alison Deckhut  Adeckhut@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Eczema models:  Marshall Plaut  MPlaut@niaid.nih.gov  

o  Host Response
-  General immune principles/Immune-related technologies:  Alison Deckhut 
adeckhut@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Pathogen specific response:  Katherine Taylor  kataylor@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Innate immunity  Charles Hackett  chackett@niaid.nih.gov 
-  Adaptive immunity:  Helen Quill  Hquill@niaid.nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding peer review to:

Edward W. Schroder, Ph.D.
Chief, Microbiology and Immunology Review Branch
NIAID Scientific Review Program
6700-B Rockledge Drive MSC 7616
Bethesda, MD 20892-7616
Zip code for express couriers: 20817 
Phone:  301-496-2550
FAX: 301-402-2638
Email: es170m@nih.gov 

Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to:

Lesia Norwood
Grants Management Branch
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
6700-B Rockledge Drive, Room 3221, MSC 7610
Bethesda, MD  20892-7610
Phone:  (301) 402-6581
Fax:  (301) 480-3780
Email:  ln5t@nih.gov
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices