Federal Grant Award Summary

Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc. received a $3.0M Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded June 17, 2026, with performance through May 31, 2030. This research initiative investigates somatic hypermutation (SHM) and antibody affinity maturation, specifically exploring the hypothesis that SHM can generate novel antibody specificities in B cells that initially lack measurable antigen recognition—a process termed "affinity birth." The project will characterize the extent of SHM-mediated diversification in non-specific bystander B cells and define parameters influencing the emergence of new antibody specificities, potentially revealing previously unappreciated flexibility in antibody diversification and identifying modifiable factors to enhance immune responses.

The research outputs will advance fundamental understanding of adaptive immune mechanisms and may inform future vaccine and immunotherapy development strategies. As a major academic medical center and Harvard Medical School affiliate, Brigham & Women's Hospital brings substantial research capabilities and infrastructure to this four-year investigator-initiated biomedical research project, which aligns with NIAID's mission to support innovative studies addressing infectious diseases and immunologic disorders.