If your research project explores fundamental aspects of trained immunity, consider applying to either of the following notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs):
- Understanding Mechanisms and Outcomes of Trained Immunity (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Understanding Mechanisms and Outcomes of Trained Immunity (R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The purpose of these NOFOs is to support research that improves understanding of basic mechanisms and biomarkers of trained immunity (i.e., innate immune memory), plus the functional implications of trained immunity, related to 1) immune system development and function, 2) immunity to vaccines or natural infections, or 3) allergic diseases, autoimmunity, or rejection of organ/tissue/cell transplantation.
Objectives
Your research project must align with NIAID’s mission to advance knowledge of immune system development and function, and better understand, treat, and prevent infectious and immune-mediated diseases.
High-priority areas include:
- Identifying novel biomarkers associated with trained immunity induced by vaccines, vaccine adjuvants, or infectious pathogens.
- Basic studies of trained immunity in immune-mediated diseases.
- Elucidating molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for innate immune memory.
- Characterizing the functional implications of trained immunity, including impact on adaptive immune responses and/or disease outcomes.
- Determining the duration or plasticity of trained immunity effects.
Since basic characterizations of trained immunity are currently lacking, we also invite descriptive studies seeking to define immune signatures and phenotypes associated with trained immunity.
Note that we will consider applications that propose to conduct research in the following areas to be nonresponsive and not review them:
- Studies of antigen-specific forms of immune memory (i.e., adaptive immunity) in the absence of a connection to trained immunity.
- Projects focusing on applications of trained immunity without aims that improve understanding of basic aspects of trained immunity (i.e., applications without novel characterizations of molecular mechanisms or biomarkers associated with trained immunity).
- Studies of innate immune memory in non-mammalian model systems without plans for how research findings will be translated to advance understanding of mammalian immunology.
- Applications proposing studies on HIV/AIDS.
- Applications proposing clinical trials (all phases).
In choosing between the R01 and R21 NOFOs, know that the R21 is designed for shorter term developmental/exploratory research activities whereas R01 applications should be more developed—providing preliminary data, including observational data, to support hypotheses or justify descriptive studies.
R01 Award and Budget Information
Application budgets are not limited but need to 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.
If you will request $500,000 or more in direct costs in any one year, you must request prior approval from our scientific/research contact (listed below) at least 6 weeks before submitting the application. Refer to Big Grants for additional guidance.
Applications for the R01 NOFO are due twice annually through 2026, on June 5 or October 5, at 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization.
R21 Award and Budget Information
For the R21 NOFO, your total project period may not exceed 2 years. The combined budget for direct costs for the 2-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
Applications for the R21 NOFO are also due twice annually through 2026, on June 16 or October 16, at 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization.
Direct inquiries for both the R01 and R21 NOFOs to Dr. Ari Joffe, NIAID’s scientific/research contact, at ari.joffe@nih.gov or 240-669-5084.