Key Dates

Related Announcements

• October 9, 2020- Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional). See NOFO PA-20-272.

Issued by

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Purpose and Background

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is specifically designed to promote partnerships between eligible NIAID-funded extramural research investigators and NIAID intramural research investigators (i.e., those conducting research within the laboratories and clinics of NIAID). The intent is to foster and stimulate basic, translational, and applied research that will advance scientific discovery and engage extramural researchers working collaboratively in the areas of immunology, infectious diseases, and allergy. This NOSI will provide funding to NIAID-supported extramural research investigator to travel to NIAID laboratories for a short duration to perform research in partnership with a host intramural research investigator.

Section 301(a)(2) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act authorizes the Secretary to “...make available research facilities of the Service to appropriate public authorities, and to health officials and scientists engaged in special study.” Collaborative research is essential for scientists in different laboratories to move their research forward by sharing common questions, resources, and information.

The NIAID Division of Intramural Research (DIR) is a research community of about 130 principal investigators who lead about 1,200 colleagues composed of scientists, physicians, trainee fellows, technical personnel, and students. The NIAID DIR has laboratories in multiple locations in the Bethesda, Maryland area and a location in Hamilton, Montana. Both the Maryland and Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) locations have world-class programs in allergy, immunology, and infectious diseases, biosafety level (BSL)-2, BSL-3, and/or BSL-4 laboratory spaces.

Please consult the  FAQ for additional information on this opportunity and about DIR Investigators with an interest in participating in this program.

Every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise—from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation–requires superior intellect, creativity and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints. NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH’s mission. Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogenous teams. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. There are many benefits that flow from a diverse NIH-supported scientific workforce, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved or health disparity populations participate in, and benefit from health research, and enhancing public trust. NIH encourages applicants to include a diverse group of scientists in their research programs, including individuals from underrepresented backgrounds (see NOT-OD-20-031, Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity and  NOT-OD-22-019, Reminder: Notice of NIH’s Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities).
 

Research Objectives and Scope

This NOSI will support research on all aspects of immunological and infectious diseases, including causative agents, vectors, and pathogenesis.  Some areas of scientific interest include, but are not limited to:

• Basic science that promotes the development of new therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines.
• Infectious, immune, and/or allergic diseases.
• Immune dysfunction.
• Emerging infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.

In addition, applicants are encouraged to engage in collaborations that support the following outcomes:

• Establishing new collaborations with NIAID DIR in areas of mutual research interest.
• Providing access to equipment and data analysis not available elsewhere for a specific research project.
• Encouraging the exchange of ideas for recruiting, mentoring, and promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) for individuals in the extramural and intramural research communities.
• Fostering a strong commitment to education and training in DEIA principle and practice among mentors, who will provide insight and guidance on careers in academia.

Applicants must include a statement describing how they incorporate diverse perspectives into NIAID-supported biomedical research. Examples may include for example:

• Providing lectures or training on the inclusion of representative data, samples or human subjects in research.
• Mentoring, training, or engaging individuals in the application of diverse perspectives to various aspects of research.
• Serving in leadership positions that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the research enterprise.
• Engaging in research in the areas Minority Health, Health Disparities or Health Equity.

Applicants must include a letter of support from the PD/PI of the NIAID intramural research laboratory where the extramural investigator will be conducting research.
 

Application and Submission Information

Applications for this initiative must be submitted using the following opportunity or its subsequent reissued equivalent.

• PA-20-272 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and PA-20-272 must be followed, with the following additions:

• Application Due Date(s) – February 2, 2024 by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.
• For funding consideration, applicants must include “NOT-AI-23-074” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF424 R&R form. Applications without this information in box 4B will not be considered for this initiative.
• The work proposed must be within the scope of the parent award.
• The Research Strategy section of the application is limited to 3 pages.
• Budget Section:
  
  • The project period and budget period may not exceed one year, and on-site collaborations may be limited to approx. three months.
  • Only recipients of awards funded under the following activity codes are eligible: R15, R16, R21, R03.
  • For recipients with an active R15 or R16 award: the award may not be in the first or last 12 months of the Project Period, exclusive of time in no-cost extension (NCE) at the time of the due date. Awards in NCE are ineligible to apply.
  • Funds requested may only be used to support the recipient costs associated with the proposed project; funds from these awards may not be used to support the collaborating intramural research scientist or their laboratory.
  • Budget requests must not exceed $50,000 in direct costs.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the program contact at NIAID that a request has been submitted in response to this NOSI. 
• The proposed project period must be within the project period of the parent award.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Meredith Shaffer, Ph.D.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Telephone: 301-594-0517
Email: shaffermh@nih.gov