Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 15 054
Apply for RFA AI 15 054
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Discovery/Development of Novel Therapeutics for Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855, 93.856,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 21, 2015 and posted on Oct 21, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 10, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Discovery/Development of Novel Therapeutics for Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AI 15 054) is a discretionary NIH grant program administered under HHS-NIH (listed as HHS-NIH11). It is designed to push promising ideas past the purely exploratory stage and into early translational development, specifically targeting new therapeutic approaches for infections caused by select eukaryotic pathogens. In plain terms, this funding is meant for projects that are not just studying these organisms in the abstract, but are actively working toward identifying and advancing potential treatment candidates, with an emphasis on novelty and a development-oriented plan.
The scientific focus is on early stage translational research that supports the discovery and development of novel therapeutics against eukaryotic pathogens. Eukaryotic pathogens generally include disease-causing organisms such as protozoa, helminths, and pathogenic fungi, which differ biologically from bacteria and viruses and often require different therapeutic strategies. The intent of the FOA, as described, is to encourage work that moves along a pipeline from identifying potential therapeutic leads toward the kinds of data and proof-of-concept evidence that can justify more substantial downstream development. While the provided text does not list specific pathogens or technical scope details, the framing makes it clear the agency is looking for projects that connect discovery to development rather than stopping at basic research findings.
This opportunity uses the NIH R21/R33 funding mechanism, which commonly supports a phased approach. The R21 phase is typically used for exploratory, high-impact early work that reduces scientific risk and demonstrates feasibility, while the R33 phase is generally intended to support the next step of development once predefined milestones are met. In practice, this structure is meant to help applicants propose a project plan that starts with an earlier set of decisive experiments and, if successful, transitions into more advanced development activities without requiring an entirely separate new award at the midpoint. The FOA description highlights "early stage translational research," which aligns with this phased design: generate actionable data early, then build toward a more developed therapeutic concept.
The award is categorized as a grant under the Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 and 93.856. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, which suggests an upper limit on the amount that can be requested or awarded under the terms of this announcement (the source data does not specify whether this ceiling applies per year, per phase, or total, so applicants would normally verify those details in the full FOA text). The source data does not provide the expected number of awards, leaving that field blank, which typically means the exact number was not specified in the summarized record or could vary based on application volume and available funds.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The listing also includes "Others" with a note to see additional eligibility information in the full announcement, indicating there may be clarifications, constraints, or additional allowable applicant types described in the complete FOA.
Key administrative dates in the record show the opportunity was created and posted on October 21, 2015, with both the original and current closing date listed as February 10, 2016. That means this particular solicitation was time-bound with a single stated deadline in the summary. The opportunity category is listed as discretionary, meaning awards are made based on competitive review and program priorities rather than entitlement or formula distribution.
Overall, the core purpose of this FOA is to stimulate and support projects that are positioned to translate scientific insights into tangible therapeutic candidates or strategies aimed at difficult and often neglected eukaryotic infectious diseases. The use of an R21/R33 structure signals an interest in milestone-driven progress, where early feasibility and proof-of-concept work can transition into a more development-focused phase, all within a single, coherently planned program of research.
FAQs: Discovery/Development of Novel Therapeutics for Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33) (RFA AI 15 054)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Discovery/Development of Novel Therapeutics for Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA AI 15 054.
Which agency runs this program?
This is a discretionary NIH grant program administered under HHS-NIH (listed as HHS-NIH11).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to push promising ideas beyond a purely exploratory stage into early translational development, specifically for new therapeutic approaches targeting infections caused by select eukaryotic pathogens.
What kind of research is this funding meant to support?
It supports early stage translational research focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics against eukaryotic pathogens, with an emphasis on novelty and development-oriented planning.
What does "early stage translational research" mean in the context provided?
Based on the description, it means work that moves along a discovery-to-development pipeline, starting with identifying potential therapeutic leads and advancing toward actionable data and proof-of-concept evidence that could justify more substantial downstream development.
Which types of pathogens are in scope?
The scientific focus is on eukaryotic pathogens. The summary describes eukaryotic pathogens as disease-causing organisms such as protozoa, helminths, and pathogenic fungi.
Are specific pathogens listed in the provided information?
No. The provided text does not list specific pathogens or detailed technical scope, but it emphasizes therapeutics for infections caused by select eukaryotic pathogens.
Is this opportunity intended for basic research?
The framing indicates it is not meant for projects that stop at basic research findings. It is intended for projects actively working toward identifying and advancing potential treatment candidates or strategies.
What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21/R33 funding mechanism.
How does the R21/R33 phased structure work (as described in the summary)?
The R21 phase is typically used for exploratory, high-impact early work to reduce scientific risk and demonstrate feasibility. The R33 phase is generally intended to support the next step of development once predefined milestones are met.
Why use an R21/R33 mechanism instead of a single-phase award?
The summary indicates the phased structure is intended to let applicants propose a plan that begins with decisive early experiments and, if successful, transitions into more advanced development activities without requiring an entirely separate new award at the midpoint.
Is milestone-driven progress emphasized?
Yes. The description highlights a milestone-driven approach where early feasibility and proof-of-concept work can transition into a more development-focused phase within one coherent program of research.
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
Does the summary clarify whether the $200,000 ceiling is per year, per phase, or total?
No. The source data does not specify whether the ceiling applies per year, per phase, or in total.
Is the number of expected awards provided?
No. The expected number of awards field is blank in the summarized record, which typically indicates it was not specified in that summary or could vary based on application volume and available funds.
What is the funding activity category?
The award is categorized under the Health funding activity category.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 and 93.856.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Does the eligibility list include any "other" categories?
Yes. The listing includes "Others" with a note to see additional eligibility information in the full announcement, which suggests there may be clarifications or additional allowable applicant types in the complete FOA.
Is this grant discretionary or formula-based?
It is listed as discretionary, meaning awards are made based on competitive review and program priorities rather than entitlement or formula distribution.
When was the opportunity created and posted?
The record shows it was created and posted on October 21, 2015.
What was the application closing date listed in the summary?
Both the original and current closing date are listed as February 10, 2016.
Does the summary indicate multiple deadlines or cycles?
No. In the provided summary, it appears to be time-bound with a single stated deadline.
What kinds of projects seem most aligned with the intent of this FOA?
Projects that connect discovery to development: identifying therapeutic leads, generating feasibility and proof-of-concept data, and advancing toward an early therapeutic candidate or strategy for eukaryotic infectious diseases, rather than stopping at descriptive or purely exploratory studies.
What is the overall goal of the FOA in plain terms?
To stimulate and support projects positioned to translate scientific insights into tangible therapeutic candidates or strategies for difficult and often neglected eukaryotic infectious diseases, using a phased R21/R33 approach to support milestone-driven progress.
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