Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

To assist public and private nonprofit institutions and individuals to establish, expand and improve biomedical research and research training in infectious diseases and related areas; to conduct developmental research, to produce and test research m

Provide funding to scientists, universities, and research organizations to study infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. These grants and cooperative agreements serve researchers and institutions working to improve public health and protect communities from disease threats. Focus on supporting innovative research that addresses urgent and emerging health challenges, helping to advance scientific knowledge and improve health outcomes for people everywhere.

Universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit domestic institutions, including State and local units of government, and individuals are eligible to make application for grant support of research by a named principal investigator or a research career development candidate. For-profit organizations are also eligible, with the exception of NRSA. Individual NRSA awardees must be nominated and sponsored by a public or nonprofit private institution having staff and facilities appropriate to the proposed research training program. All NRSA awardees must be citizens or have been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. To be eligible, predoctoral candidates must have completed the baccalaureate degree, and postdoctoral awardees must have a professional or scientific degree (M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., D.O., D.V.M., Sc.D., D.Eng., or equivalent domestic or foreign degree). SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is being proposed and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. or its possessions. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which researches proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Any nonprofit or for-profit organization, company, or institution engaged in biomedical research.

Beginning with fiscal year 1998, the direct costs awarded in the first year to a research project grant resulting from a competing renewal application will be limited to no more than a 20 percent increase over the direct costs awarded in the last non-competing year of that grant. Research grants provide funds for salaries, equipment, supplies, and travel. They also afford the collateral benefits of enriching the training experience of research workers. Grantees are expected to be judicious in using these funds. The application for a research grant sets forth specific terms and conditions and requires the signatures of the principal investigator and an official authorized to sign for the institution. Scientists and institutions are under an obligation to expend grant funds prudently for the purposes stated in the application and award document. For Research Career Development Awards (RCDAs) the scientists must demonstrate an outstanding research potential for independent research in the sciences related to transplantation, immunology, allergies, and immunological diseases. For National Research Service Awards (NRSAs), each individual who receives NRSA support is obligated upon termination of the award to comply with certain service and payback provisions. SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months' duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I and which are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II support. STTR Phase I grants (normally of 1-year duration) are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II application.

Research grant project periods average 4 years; they may not be extended beyond 7 years. (Project periods are generally composed of 1-year budget periods.) SBIR Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 1 year; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.

All accepted applications are reviewed for scientific merit by an appropriate initial review group and a national advisory council. If recommended for approval and a decision to make an award is made, a formal award notice will be sent to the applicant and applicant institution. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

New Non-AIDS research applications: February 1, June 1 and October 1. For Renewal and Supplemental Non-AIDS research grant applications: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For all AIDS research grant applications: January 2, May 1, September 1. Research Career Development Award programs: February 1, June 1, October 1. Individual NRSAs: April 5, August 5, and December 5. Institutional NRSA: September 10. SBIR/STTR: April 1, August 1 and December 1.

Renewals of research grant support are by competitive application and review. The competitive application may request support for a segmental period of up to 5 years.

A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. Final decisions on unresolved appeals are made with the advice of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.