Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University received a $1.23 million Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective July 9, 2026, with a completion date of May 31, 2031. The award supports the Heteroresistance Interdisciplinary Research Unit, which focuses on investigating heteroresistance (HR)—an emerging form of antibiotic resistance in which bacterial isolates harbor resistant subpopulations capable of rapid replication in the presence of antibiotics while susceptible populations are eliminated. This research directly addresses the critical public health challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections, which cause approximately 2.8 million infections annually in the United States and contribute to over 150,000 deaths.

The research aims to advance understanding of resistance mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic approaches to combat resistant bacteria. By studying heteroresistance at the molecular and population level, the research unit will generate scientific knowledge essential for designing innovative interventions against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The work is conducted at Emory University's Atlanta, Georgia facility and contributes to NIAID's broader mission to support biomedical research addressing urgent infectious disease threats and improving public health outcomes.