The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to highlight the urgent need for accelerating the development, translation, and commercialization of technologies to address Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The NIBIB is seeking applications to develop life-saving technologies that can be ready for commercialization within one to two years. Example technologies include, but are not limited to:

• Rapid point-of-care and home-based testing/diagnostics
• Wearable, implantable, and remote sensors/imagers for physiological monitoring
• Medical imaging technologies and algorithms/artificial intelligence (AI) for rapid detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of lung infection
• Non-contact sensing and imaging for rapid mass screening and vital sign assessment
• Digital health platforms and models that integrate data, assess risk, and provide illness surveillance and management tools
• Technologies (including simulation platforms) for training healthcare workers and optimizing clinical workflows
• Robotic and automation technologies to limit caregivers exposure and/or reduce burden on the healthcare system
• Technologies for protecting healthcare workers, first responders, and caregivers
• Oxygenation systems (e.g. ECMO, ventilators, intubation) and components designed for rapid deployment, access, and potential operation by minimally trained personnel
• High-confidence disinfection technologies
• Novel therapeutic strategies using engineered biological systems, including cell-based and synthetic biology technologies.

Application and Submission Information

Applications in response to this NOSI must be submitted using one of the following target opportunities or subsequently reissued equivalents.

• PA-19-270 - PHS 2019-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PA-19-272 - PHS 2019-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PA-18-631 - NIBIB Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Businesses ([R44] Clinical Trial Required)

When developing applications in response to this NOSI, all instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guideand in the target funding opportunity announcement (PA-19-270, PA-19-272, PA-18-631) must be followed, with the following additions:

• IMPORTANT: For funding consideration, all applicants must designate NOT-EB-20-006 (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.
• Applications must specifically address issues of potential biohazards in the Research Strategy, and all research must be conducted in compliance with the health and safety requirements found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
• Pre-award costs may be incurred from January 20, 2020 through the public health emergency period and prior to the date of the federal award.
• Funds awarded using appropriations provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be issued in unique subaccounts in the HHS Payment Management System, and will require separate financial reporting from any other funds awarded.

Applications nonresponsive to terms of this NOSI will be not be considered for the NOSI initiative.

Please direct all inquiries to the contacts in Section VII of the listed funding opportunity announcements with the following additions/substitutions:

Scientific/Research Contact(s)

Todd Merchak
NIBIB/ESP/OPESP
301-496-8592
[email protected]

Ilana Goldberg, PHD
NIBIB/DDST
301-402-3465
[email protected]