Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 17 034
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Maintaining Immunity After Immunization (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA AI 17 034) is a discretionary grant program using the cooperative agreement mechanism (U01). Its central aim is to strengthen scientific understanding of how long-lasting, protective immunity is generated and maintained after immunization. The FOA is focused on the durability of immune protection, meaning it is interested not only in what immune responses appear shortly after vaccination, but which specific immune components and biological mechanisms are responsible for sustained protection over time. Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, awardees should generally expect more substantial involvement from NIH program staff than in a standard research project grant, with collaboration and coordination playing a larger role in how the project is carried out.
Scientifically, the FOA prioritizes studies that define key components of the immune system and explain the mechanisms that support durable immunity. A major emphasis is placed on research that evaluates responses in human cells and tissues, since those studies can directly illuminate the immune signatures and pathways triggered by immunization in people. At the same time, the announcement makes room for animal studies when they are used to build on or extend findings derived from human tissues. In practical terms, this suggests a translational approach: investigators might identify immune correlates or cell populations in human samples following immunization, then use animal models to test hypotheses about causality, kinetics, or mechanistic steps that cannot be ethically or feasibly examined in humans. The label "Clinical Trial Optional" indicates that a clinical trial is not required for all projects, but applicants may propose one if it is appropriate to answer the scientific questions and aligns with NIH policy requirements.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is broadly open to a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include many categories of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts), as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. It also welcomes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA allows participation from nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to encourage diverse institutional participation and to support research capacity across many settings, including international contributors where scientifically justified.
Key program identifiers and logistics include the NIH as the sponsoring agency, a health-focused activity category, and CFDA number 93.855. The FOA was created on 2017-10-20, and the original closing date listed is 2018-02-21, meaning the specific competition referenced by this record was time-limited to that submission window. The listed award ceiling is $450,000, which typically refers to the maximum amount anticipated per award per budget period as defined in the FOA details (applicants would normally confirm whether this ceiling is in direct costs or total costs by checking the full announcement). The overall message of the opportunity is that NIH sought well-justified, mechanistically driven immunology studies that can explain why some vaccine-induced immune responses persist and protect long term, using human-based immunology as a foundation and leveraging animal systems when deeper mechanistic testing is needed.Apply for RFA AI 17 034
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maintaining Immunity After Immunization (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-02-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Maintaining Immunity After Immunization (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA AI 17 034.
Which agency is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), described as a discretionary grant program.
What does a U01 cooperative agreement imply for how the project is run?
Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, awardees should generally expect more substantial involvement from NIH program staff than with a standard research project grant. Collaboration and coordination are expected to play a larger role in how the project is carried out.
What is the central scientific aim of this FOA?
The central aim is to strengthen scientific understanding of how long-lasting, protective immunity is generated and maintained after immunization.
What does the FOA mean by "durability of immune protection"?
It emphasizes understanding not only which immune responses appear shortly after vaccination, but which specific immune components and biological mechanisms are responsible for sustained protection over time.
What kinds of studies are prioritized scientifically?
The FOA prioritizes studies that define key components of the immune system and explain mechanisms that support durable immunity.
Does the FOA emphasize human-based research?
Yes. A major emphasis is placed on research that evaluates responses in human cells and tissues, since these studies can directly illuminate immune signatures and pathways triggered by immunization in people.
Are animal studies allowed under this FOA?
Yes. The announcement makes room for animal studies when they are used to build on or extend findings derived from human tissues.
How does the FOA suggest human and animal studies can be combined?
The FOA suggests a translational approach: investigators may identify immune correlates or cell populations in human samples following immunization and then use animal models to test hypotheses about causality, kinetics, or mechanistic steps that cannot be ethically or feasibly examined in humans.
Is a clinical trial required for this opportunity?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required for all projects.
Can an applicant propose a clinical trial?
Yes. Applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is appropriate to answer the scientific questions and aligns with NIH policy requirements.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. governmental entities, institutions of higher education (public/state-controlled and private), tribal entities, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses, among others listed in the announcement.
Which U.S. government entities are explicitly listed as eligible?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) are eligible, as are tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA allows participation from nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types (e.g., HBCUs or HSIs)?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and others.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are explicitly listed among eligible groups.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible applicants.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are included among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly listed among eligible applicants.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.855.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
It is listed under a health-focused activity category.
When was this FOA created?
The FOA was created on 2017-10-20.
What was the original closing date for the competition described?
The original closing date listed is 2018-02-21, indicating the specific competition referenced was time-limited to that submission window.
What is the listed award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $450,000.
Does the award ceiling indicate whether it is direct costs or total costs?
The information provided notes that applicants would typically confirm whether the ceiling is in direct costs or total costs by checking the full announcement, since that detail is not specified here.
What overall research message does NIH convey through this FOA?
NIH sought well-justified, mechanistically driven immunology studies explaining why some vaccine-induced immune responses persist and protect long term, using human-based immunology as a foundation and leveraging animal systems when deeper mechanistic testing is needed.
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