Maintaining Immunity After Immunization (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AI 17 034

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.

• 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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