Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 08 053
Apply for RFA AI 08 053
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic HIV Vaccine Discovery Research (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855 Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research 93.856 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 20, 2008 and posted on Oct 3, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 22, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses State governments Independent school districts Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Special district governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities County governments City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Basic HIV Vaccine Discovery Research (R01) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-08-053) is a discretionary NIH grant program issued by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Its central goal is to accelerate progress toward an effective prophylactic (preventive) HIV vaccine by funding hypothesis-driven basic research that directly supports that end. Rather than focusing on late-stage product development or clinical testing, the announcement emphasizes discovery-oriented work in HIV/AIDS as well as broader virology and immunology, especially studies that uncover new ideas, mechanisms, targets, or experimental approaches that could shape what an optimal HIV vaccine should look like and how it should be built.
A key theme of the announcement is innovation in vaccine thinking. NIAID is explicitly looking for research that identifies new concepts and strategies that can inform vaccine design, including lessons borrowed from successful vaccine development for other infectious diseases. In practice, that means applicants are encouraged to propose foundational studies that clarify what kinds of immune responses are most protective, how those responses might be reliably induced, and what viral or host features should be targeted to overcome HIVs well-known challenges (such as diversity, immune evasion, and difficulty eliciting broadly protective immunity). The work is expected to be basic and mechanistic, but it should still maintain a clear line of sight to informing prophylactic vaccine design.
The funding mechanism is the NIH Research Project Grant (R01), which is the standard NIH award for independent, investigator-initiated research projects. This implies that proposals should be structured like a conventional R01: a clear scientific premise, a set of testable hypotheses, well-defined aims, rigorous methods, and a feasible plan for producing interpretable results that advance the field. The opportunity falls under NIH health-related funding activity categories and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 (Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research) and 93.856 (Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
In terms of resources, NIAID planned to commit approximately $10,000,000 in total costs in fiscal year 2009 to support an estimated 20 to 30 awards, depending on the quality and number of applications received and the availability of funds. As with most NIH announcements, awards are contingent on both appropriations and the submission of sufficiently meritorious proposals, meaning that scientific and technical review will strongly determine which projects are funded.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and international institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including but not limited to small businesses), and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district, and certain federal entities where allowed). The announcement also specifically notes eligibility for a wide range of mission-serving institutions and community-based groups, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, tribal governments (federally recognized and other than federally recognized, as specified), faith-based or community-based organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. It also allows non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations, reinforcing that NIAID was seeking the strongest ideas regardless of geography, provided applicants meet NIH requirements.
Key administrative details include an original closing date of January 5, 2009, later extended to a current closing date of January 22, 2009. The opportunity was posted October 3, 2008, created October 20, 2008, and archived February 22, 2009. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, with the full announcement hosted on the NIH grants website. For technical issues accessing or linking to the announcement, the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact is provided (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV).
Overall, this FOA is best understood as a targeted push by NIAID to fund early-stage, high-impact scientific discovery that can unlock new directions for preventive HIV vaccine design. It supports projects that deepen basic understanding of HIV immunology and virology while keeping a practical focus on how those discoveries can be translated into better vaccine concepts and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Basic HIV Vaccine Discovery Research (R01) - RFA-AI-08-053
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Basic HIV Vaccine Discovery Research (R01).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-AI-08-053.
Which agency and institute are sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the issuing institute is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
What is the main goal of this FOA?
The central goal is to accelerate progress toward an effective prophylactic (preventive) HIV vaccine by funding hypothesis-driven basic research that directly supports preventive HIV vaccine design.
What type of research does this FOA emphasize?
This FOA emphasizes discovery-oriented, basic and mechanistic research in HIV/AIDS and in broader virology and immunology, particularly studies that uncover new ideas, mechanisms, targets, or experimental approaches that could shape what an optimal preventive HIV vaccine should look like and how it should be built.
Is this grant focused on clinical trials or late-stage product development?
No. The announcement explicitly emphasizes basic discovery research rather than late-stage product development or clinical testing.
What does "prophylactic" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this FOA, "prophylactic" refers to a preventive HIV vaccine intended to prevent infection (as opposed to therapeutic approaches).
What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?
The funding mechanism is the NIH Research Project Grant (R01), the standard NIH award for independent, investigator-initiated research projects.
How should an application be structured given this is an R01?
Applications are expected to look like a conventional R01, including a clear scientific premise, testable hypotheses, well-defined aims, rigorous methods, and a feasible plan to produce interpretable results that advance the field.
What is a key theme or priority of the FOA?
A major theme is innovation in vaccine thinking. NIAID is looking for research that identifies new concepts and strategies that can inform HIV vaccine design, including lessons from successful vaccines for other infectious diseases.
What kinds of scientific questions does the FOA encourage applicants to address?
The FOA encourages foundational studies that clarify:
- Which immune responses are most protective
- How those responses might be reliably induced
- Which viral or host features should be targeted to overcome HIV challenges
What HIV vaccine challenges are referenced in the FOA?
The FOA notes well-known HIV challenges such as viral diversity, immune evasion, and the difficulty of eliciting broadly protective immunity.
Does the research need to connect to vaccine design even if it is basic science?
Yes. While the work is expected to be basic and mechanistic, it should maintain a clear line of sight to informing prophylactic vaccine design.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
How much funding was NIAID planning to commit, and when?
NIAID planned to commit approximately $10,000,000 in total costs in fiscal year 2009.
How many awards were expected under this FOA?
NIAID estimated 20 to 30 awards, depending on the quality and number of applications received and the availability of funds.
Are awards guaranteed if an application is submitted?
No. As described, awards are contingent on appropriations and the submission of sufficiently meritorious proposals, with scientific and technical review strongly determining which projects are funded.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 (Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research) and 93.856 (Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic and international institutions and organizations, including:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
- State, county, city/township, and special district governments
- Certain federal entities where allowed
- U.S. territories or possessions
- Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations
Are specific mission-serving or community-based institutions mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA specifically notes eligibility for a wide range of institutions and groups, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, tribal governments (federally recognized and other than federally recognized, as specified), and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA allows non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations, indicating NIAID was seeking strong ideas regardless of geography, provided NIH requirements are met.
When was the opportunity posted and created?
The opportunity was posted October 3, 2008 and created October 20, 2008.
What was the application closing date, and was it extended?
The FOA originally closed on January 5, 2009, and the closing date was later extended to January 22, 2009.
When was the opportunity archived?
The FOA was archived February 22, 2009.
Where is the full announcement hosted?
The full announcement is hosted on the NIH grants website.
Who should be contacted for technical issues with accessing or linking to the announcement?
For technical issues accessing or linking to the announcement, the contact provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
How should this FOA be understood in terms of NIAID's intent?
This FOA is best understood as a targeted push by NIAID to fund early-stage, high-impact scientific discovery that can unlock new directions for preventive HIV vaccine design, deepening basic understanding of HIV immunology and virology while keeping a practical focus on how discoveries could translate into better vaccine concepts and strategies.
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