The Promoting Innovative Research in Treponema pallidum Pathogenesis (R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will support basic and exploratory research projects that leverage recent scientific development to advance our understanding of Treponema pallidum bacterial pathogenesis. Advances in T. pallidum in vitro culture, transformation and targeted mutagenesis technology, and availability of reagents for use in the guinea pig model of congenital syphilis lowers historic barriers of significant expense and complexity for laboratories, which could open the field of syphilis research to new investigators.
Specific Areas of Research Interest
The R21 exploratory/developmental grant supports investigation of novel scientific ideas or new model systems, tools, or technologies that potentially have significant impact on biomedical or biobehavioral research. Areas of interest for this NOFO include but are not limited to the following:
- Identification and confirmation of integral outer membrane proteins
- Adhesion
- Invasion and dissemination
- Antigenic variation and immune evasion (genes and mechanisms involved)
- Random mutagenesis studies
- Genetic transformation targeting genes associated with pathogenicity
- Creation of attenuated strains for vaccine development
- In vitro host-pathogen interaction and immunologic studies
- Use of the animal model of congenital syphilis to understand immunity and disease progression
- Better understanding of the maternal-fetal interface of transmission
Your application does not need exhaustive background material or preliminary information. Accordingly, reviewers will emphasize the conceptual framework, level of innovation, and potential to significantly advance our knowledge or understanding. You may provide appropriate justification for the proposed work through literature citations, data from other sources, or, when available, from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data may be included if available but are not required.
Award and Budget Information
We aim to fund four to six awards through this NOFO in fiscal year 2025. Your application budget should not exceed $275,000 in direct costs for the 2-year project period, with no more than $200,000 requested in any single year.
Applications are due November 4, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. local time of the applicant organization.
You may contact Dr. Leah R. Vincent with scientific or research questions at leah.vincent@nih.gov or 301-761-7365. If you have questions about peer review, contact Dr. Frank De Silva at fdesilva@niaid.nih.gov or 240-669-5023.