Bat Immunology Network Research Projects (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 23 068

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 23 068

The Bat Immunology Network Research Projects (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-AI-23-068) is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to build a coordinated research network focused on bat immunology. Its central goal is to support studies that map and explain the key cellular and molecular parts of the bat immune system and clarify how bats achieve protective immune responses. The science emphasis spans both innate immunity (early, broadly acting defenses) and adaptive immunity (more specific, memory-forming responses), with the overall intent of advancing a deeper, more mechanistic understanding of how bats respond to immune challenges.

A defining feature of this NOFO is the expectation that funded projects will not operate in isolation. Instead, the awards are meant to collectively form a collaborative research network, meaning awardees are anticipated to contribute to shared progress in the field rather than only producing stand-alone results. In practical terms, this kind of networked approach typically prioritizes research that can generate broadly useful knowledge, resources, datasets, methods, and comparable findings that help move the entire bat immunology community forward.

The award mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity. The listed award ceiling is $300,000. The program falls under the health funding activity category, with CFDA number 93.855, and is administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was created on 2023-12-13, and the original application closing date was 2024-05-24.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible domestic applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and a range of nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), as well as for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility signals NIH interest in drawing on diverse expertise, infrastructure, and geographic perspectives to accelerate progress on foundational questions in bat immune function.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bat Immunology Network Research Projects (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-24. (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 $300,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA AI 23 068

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