Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 20 018
Emergency Awards: Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies Towards Multi-Parametric and Integrated Approaches for SARS-CoV-2 (RFA OD 20 018) is a rapid-response NIH funding opportunity created during the COVID-19 public health emergency to speed development of new diagnostic approaches under the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) program, specifically the RADx-rad initiative. The central aim is to accelerate novel, non-traditional diagnostic technologies that can identify active SARS-CoV-2 infection or detect other measurable indicators (biomarkers) of COVID-19 disease. A key emphasis is on approaches that could remain useful beyond the immediate pandemic, including readiness for future COVID-19 outbreaks and potential applicability to other emerging or currently unknown viruses.
The scientific niche of this opportunity is the use of exosome and single extracellular vesicle technologies. Rather than asking applicants to invent exosome science from scratch, the FOA is aimed at teams who have already developed tools for isolating and analyzing individual vesicles or exosomes and can repurpose or reposition those platforms for SARS-CoV-2 detection. In practical terms, that means adapting existing vesicle capture, enrichment, profiling, or multi-analyte readout methods so they can detect viral material (or disease-linked markers associated with infection) in a way that supports integrated, multi-parametric measurement. The phrase "multi-parametric and integrated" signals that NIH is interested in approaches that can pull together multiple signals at once (for example, viral components plus host response markers) or combine multiple measurement modes into a more informative diagnostic output, rather than relying on a single readout.
This is an expedited emergency mechanism using a cooperative agreement (U18), which typically means NIH expects substantial involvement in project coordination and milestone-driven management compared with a standard research grant. Clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA, so proposed work should focus on technology development, analytical validation, and related preclinical or translational steps that do not meet the definition of a clinical trial. The program anticipated a small number of awards (about five), reinforcing that it was intended to fund a limited set of promising, fast-moving projects rather than a broad portfolio.
A major operational requirement is coordination with the RADx-rad Data Coordinating Center (DCC). Awardees are expected to actively collaborate, coordinate activities, and share data with the DCC as allowed. The FOA also highlights that data sharing and coordination need to respect tribal Institutional Review Board considerations when applicable, reflecting sensitivity to governance and oversight requirements for research involving tribal communities or data. Applicants were encouraged to review the companion DCC funding announcement so their plans align with the broader RADx-rad data infrastructure and expectations.
Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types, including federal recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations, state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and certain other entities as described in the full announcement. The funding source for the initiative is explicitly tied to the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020, reflecting the emergency appropriations used to accelerate COVID-19 diagnostics. The opportunity was posted in early August 2020 with an original closing date of September 18, 2020. The public listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that a fixed maximum was not stated in the summary fields and applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget expectations and limits.Apply for RFA OD 20 018
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies Towards Multi-Parametric and Integrated Approaches for SARS-CoV-2 (U18 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): 93.073, 93.233, 93.279, 93.310, 93.350, 93.394, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 06, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 18, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- 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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| Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 015 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Sustained Support for Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 018 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Development of Innovative Informatics Methods and Algorithms for Cancer Research and Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 019 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 019 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NIDA Translational Avant-Garde Award for Development of Medication to Treat Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 092 Funding Number: PAR 21 092 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Integrative Management of chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR): Coordination and Dissemination Center (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 21 029 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $575,000 |
| Limited Competition to Convert the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) Study Cohort to a Research Resource (R24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 170 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 170 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Proteogenomic Data Analysis Centers (PGDACs) for Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 21 024 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 024 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers (PTRCs) for Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 21 025 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 025 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Proteome Characterization Centers (PCCs) for Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 21 023 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| 3D Technologies to Accelerate HTAN Atlas Building Efforts (UH2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 21 037 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 037 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Coordinating Center for Exercise and Nutrition Interventions to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO) in Cancer Survivors Consortium (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 21 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 032 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Network of the National Library of Medicine All of Us Program Center (U24) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA LM 21 002 Funding Number: RFA LM 21 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,200,000 |
| Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTD2) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 274 Funding Number: PAR 21 274 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Indian Health Service National Indian Health Outreach and Education Apply for HHS 2023 IHS NIHOE 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2023 IHS NIHOE 0001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $851,311 |
| Consortium on Translational Research in Early Detection of Liver Cancer: Data Management and Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Radiation Oncology-Biology Integration Network (ROBIN) Centers (U54 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 22 046 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 046 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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