NIAID invites applications for the Computational Models of Influenza Immunity (CMII) Cooperative Agreement Program, which focuses on informing the development and refinement of seasonal and universal influenza vaccines by addressing outstanding questions in influenza immunity through immunological studies and computational modeling.
For this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), computational modeling is defined as the use of mathematical approaches and/or computer simulations to represent or describe biological phenomenon, with the goal of advancing understanding of the biological processes being modeled. Immunologic experimentation proposed in the application must be used to develop and/or refine and validate the computational models being produced. Integration of existing and/or publicly available molecular, genetic, cellular, patient, and/or population-level data sets are encouraged. Applications are sought that propose well-integrated, cross-disciplinary research teams with strong computational, immunologic, and virology expertise.
The CMII program will:
- Employ computational modeling and immunologic studies to advance our understanding of the requirements for improving anti-influenza immunity, including inducing broad immune protection and enhancing immune durability.
- Help inform design of universal or improved seasonal flu vaccines. Projects may lead to a better understanding of how pre-existing immunity and repeat exposures (natural infection and/or vaccines) shape an individual’s immune “landscape.” Predictive modeling of adjuvants/vaccine formulations and experimental validation supported by this program should lead to enhanced host immune responses and universal or improved seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy.
Responsive applications under this NOFO must focus on improving our understanding of the requirements for induction and maintenance of protective anti-influenza immunity, including induction of broad, durable immune protection, with the ultimate goal of informing design of universal or improved seasonal influenza vaccines.
The computational models may be data-driven, macromolecular, or hypothesis-based and mechanistically-driven and may be generalizable to multiple types of immune perturbations (e.g., infection, vaccination, pre-existing immunity). Projects must focus on human studies. Immunologic analyses using appropriate animal models are also permitted, where the animal studies will complement the human immunology studies and enhance computational model development/refinement. Although clinical trials will not be supported under this initiative, studies may include the use of biological samples/data from planned, ongoing, or completed independently-funded clinical trials.
For complete details, including studies that will be considered nonresponsive and will not be reviewed, refer to the NOFO Computational Models of Influenza Immunity (U01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
NIAID intends to fund six to eight awards in fiscal year 2025.
Application budgets are not expected to exceed $750,000 in direct costs per year but must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period. The maximum project period is 5 years. Note that there is a single receipt date on January 26, 2024.
Inquiries
For inquiries, see Section VII. Agency Contacts for a list of scientific/research contacts. They welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.