Promoting Bunyavirales Basic Science Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 21 046

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 21 046

The grant opportunity "Promoting Bunyavirales Basic Science Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (RFA-AI-21-046) is a discretionary funding announcement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on strengthening fundamental, non-clinical-trial research on human disease-causing viruses within the order Bunyavirales. The central aim is to move basic science forward in areas that underpin preparedness and countermeasure development, by funding projects that deepen understanding of how these viruses are transmitted, how they replicate and evolve, how they cause disease, and how hosts respond immunologically. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for R01-style research proposals that address core questions in vector competence (the ability of arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks to acquire, maintain, and transmit these viruses), virology (viral genetics, replication, structure, and cell biology), pathogenesis (mechanisms of disease and tissue damage), and immunity (innate and adaptive responses, correlates of protection, and immunological mechanisms that shape outcomes).

This announcement uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism and explicitly disallows clinical trials, meaning proposed work should remain in the realm of basic and mechanistic science rather than testing interventions in human participants. The funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is health, and the listing is associated with CFDA 93.855. While an award ceiling is not specified in the provided source information, the structure and intent align with typical NIH R01 expectations: hypothesis-driven or discovery-enabled research with a clear plan, rigorous methods, and potential to significantly advance the field of Bunyavirales biology and host-vector-virus interactions.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes many government and academic entities as well as nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and municipal 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also allows applications from nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. It further highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign participation is limited in a specific way. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components are allowed as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S. applicant can include certain well-justified international collaborations, sites, or subcomponents when they are necessary for the project and appropriately structured under NIH policy.

Key administrative details in the source information include an original closing date of October 22, 2021, and a creation date of June 10, 2021. Overall, the FOA is best understood as an NIH initiative to expand the foundational knowledge base around Bunyavirales viruses by funding mechanistic studies spanning vector biology, viral life cycle and genetics, disease mechanisms, and immune responses, with the explicit boundary that the funded work should not be structured as a clinical trial.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Bunyavirales Basic Science Research (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 2021-06-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

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