Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $883,295 Project Grant to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Health Sciences Division, effective January 28, 2026, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The award supports research and development of thermostable measles fusion glycoproteins as a novel vaccine strategy through December 31, 2030. The research addresses critical gaps in measles vaccination by designing and testing stabilized, recombinant measles fusion protein variants that maintain pre-fusion conformation and can elicit effective neutralizing antibodies, particularly in immune-compromised populations who cannot tolerate the current live attenuated vaccine.

This project directly addresses unmet public health needs by developing vaccine candidates suitable for populations with impaired cellular immunity and eliminating cold-chain storage requirements for global vaccine distribution. The research builds upon recent clinical validation of stabilized respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein vaccines and leverages Columbia's expertise in biomedical research, immunology, and translational medicine. Deliverables include characterization and testing of thermostable measles fusion protein constructs (both ectodomains and full-length variants) through preclinical immunogenicity and protection studies, advancing the scientific foundation for a safer, more broadly accessible measles vaccination approach.