Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey (RBHS-School of Nursing) received a $762,847 Project Grant awarded February 3, 2026, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The award, with a completion date of January 31, 2031, supports investigator-initiated biomedical research focused on understanding the contribution of Type III interferons to the pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus infection. This research addresses the critical public health challenge posed by antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus, which cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospital and community-acquired pneumonia cases.

The research deliverables include comprehensive investigation of host-pathogen interactions between S. aureus and the innate immune system, with particular emphasis on how Type III interferon signaling influences bacterial clearance from the airway. The project will produce scientific findings regarding alterations to alveolar macrophage populations and epithelial barrier changes occurring during Type III interferon activation, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for antibiotics, inhibitors, or vaccines. The research outcomes are expected to advance understanding of interferon signaling mechanisms in bacterial infection contexts and contribute to the development of new treatment strategies against multidrug-resistant S. aureus pathogens.