Notice Number: NOT-AI-17-016

Key Dates
Release Date: March 7, 2017

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

Purpose

Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections are increasing and are now the dominant mycobacterial infections in the US and much of the developed world, far surpassing tuberculosis. In order to stimulate and facilitate the development of knowledge, drugs and diagnostics, and determine whether a vaccine or other immune interventions are feasible, additional information on the disease process and its effects are needed.

NIAID is issuing this notice to highlight its interest in receiving grant applications focused on basic and translational research in non-AIDS associated pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections. Areas of high priority include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Elucidation of the host immune response to NTM infections
• Identification of biomarkers signaling pulmonary NTM infection vs. colonization
• Characterization of the microbial mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance
• Characterization of local host immune responses to NTM infection
• Identification of molecular targets against which drugs and immune active agents can be directed
• Role of biofilms in NTM infections
• Establishment of relevant animal models to study NTM infections
• Establishment of in vitro PK/PD parameters underlying drug action against NTM pathogens
• Development of imaging techniques to describe disease progression, differentiate active vs. inactive disease, and to establish treatment outcomes

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

• PA-16-162, Small Research Grant (Parent R03)
• PA-16-161, Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (Parent R21)
• PA-16-160, Research Project Grant (Parent R01)
• PAR-16-254, Mechanisms of Mycobacterial-Induced Immunity in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Individuals to Inform Innovative Tuberculosis Vaccine Design (R01)

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 all inquiries to:

Christine Sizemore, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 240-627-3374
Email: CSizemore@niaid.nih.gov