NIAID is participating in three notices of special interest (NOSIs) related to COVID-19, each focused on a distinct research topic:
- Pathobiological mechanisms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Pediatric COVID-19 and respiratory viral co-infection
- Vaccine hesitancy, uptake, and implementation among populations that experience health disparities
The three NOSIs leverage different funding opportunity announcements (FOAs), so take time to understand the requirements of each initiative to which you may apply.
Administrative Supplements To Study Post-Acute Sequelae
Through Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—Availability of Administrative Supplements for Research on Pathobiological Mechanisms of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection, current grantees may submit administrative supplement applications to support research on post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
The NOSI specifically calls for research to inform the diagnosis, prevention, mitigation, or treatment of PASC by elucidating the pathogenesis of post-acute sequelae and identify associated mechanistic pathways. Possible studies include:
- Characterizing immune responses to better understand how autoantibodies develop
- Studying host and environmental factors and associated biological pathways that mediate the intensity and duration of the neurological, metabolic, immunologic, hematologic, and cardiopulmonary and vascular dimensions of PASC
- Conducting animal model studies of PASC pathobiology to evaluate intermediate or analogous endpoints of potential clinical correlates of PASC
The NOSI provides a much longer list of example topics, so be sure to read the research objectives section in full.
Keep in mind, administrative supplements require that the supported research be within the approved scope of an ongoing award. As our article “Understand Scope and Why It Matters for Managing Your Grant” implies, if studying the pathobiological mechanisms of post-acute sequelae is beyond the aims, objectives, and purposes of your current grant, then you should apply for a competitive revision rather than an administrative supplement. Before applying, we strongly encourage you to discuss with the program officer assigned to your ongoing award whether your proposed supplement is within scope.
Act quickly! Applications are due on January 24, 2022.
To apply, use the FOA Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp, Clinical Trial Optional). List “NOT-OD-22-038” in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF 424 (R&R) Form.
Your application budget should not exceed $750,000 in direct costs. The NOSI strongly encourages applicants to propose a one-year project period.
Read Frequently Asked Questions for Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Availability of Administrative Supplements for Research on Pathobiological Mechanisms of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) for additional instructions and eligibility requirements.
R01, R21 Awards for Pediatric COVID-19 and Respiratory Co-Infection Research
Propose new research projects on the impact of co-infection with COVID-19 and other viruses in children as well as whether co-infections increase vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 disease through Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—Pediatric COVID-19 and Respiratory Viral Co-Infection.
Examples of relevant research questions include:
- Does past or concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection impact susceptibility to and increased severity from infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viruses in children?
- Does co-infection with RSV and other respiratory viruses increase severity of SARS CoV-2 in the lower respiratory tract in children?
- How does COVID-19 vaccination in children impact the epidemiology of co-infections?
The NOSI lists many additional topics of interest.
Apply through either of the following FOAs:
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
List “NOT-HL-22-004” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF 424 (R&R) Form.
Refer to the FOA through which you apply for administrative requirements around budget, project period, eligibility, and submission deadlines.
The NOSI will remain active through September 8, 2025.
R01 Awards for Vaccine Hesitancy, Uptake, and Implementation Research
The Notice of Special Interest (NOSI)—Research To Address Vaccine Hesitancy, Uptake, and Implementation Among Populations That Experience Health Disparities encourages research projects to identify the most effective interventions and strategies to increase the reach, access, acceptance, and vaccine completion among populations that experience health disparities.
Successful grantees will assess:
- Community-engaged interventions to facilitate vaccination uptake in clinical and community contexts
- Organizational, local, state, and federal policies and initiatives that mitigate or exacerbate disparities in vaccine access, uptake, and series completion
- Barriers to increasing reach, access, and uptake of vaccinations among populations who experience health disparities
The NOSI differentiates between primary data collection studies and secondary data analysis studies. If your application includes primary data collection, you must partner with a key community stakeholder (as defined in the NOSI). If your study will introduce an intervention, reference NIH’s Research Methods Resources while designing your research plan.
To ensure data harmonization, investigators should leverage PhenX Toolkit and Disaster Research Response (DR2) Program resources when constructing surveys and protocols.
Whether your proposed research project meets NIH’s definition of a clinical trial will determine the FOA through which you should apply:
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01, Clinical Trial Required)
List “NOT-MD-22-006” (without quotation marks) in the Agency Routing Identifier field (box 4B) of the SF 424 (R&R) Form.
Refer to the FOA through which you apply for administrative requirements around budget, project period, eligibility, and submission deadlines.
The NOSI will remain active through January 8, 2023.