The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ERA has released a grants notice for a significant research initiative titled “Nationwide Cohort to Estimate Burden of Respiratory Viruses and Immunologic Response (Blood Donor Cohort)”, under the funding opportunity number RFA-IP-24-046. Announced on December 12, 2023, this discretionary funding opportunity is aimed at establishing a national longitudinal cohort of repeat blood donors. The project, with an estimated total program funding of $26.5 million, seeks to monitor and analyze the immune response to various respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and other significant pathogens.
This research cooperative agreement intends to create a large-scale longitudinal cohort of more than 50,000 persons. The primary goals include estimating the national burden of incident SARS-CoV-2 infection and adapting approaches to other respiratory viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza, and Human Metapneumovirus. The project also focuses on determining antibody thresholds for protection, assessing population-level immunity and risk for infection, and monitoring changes in immune capabilities in the context of ongoing viral evolution. This comprehensive initiative is a continuation of the CDC’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and represents a significant step forward in understanding and controlling respiratory diseases. The deadline for application submissions is February 16, 2024, with an archive date of March 17, 2024.
Opportunity ID: 350452
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | RFA-IP-24-046 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Nationwide Cohort to Estimate Burden of Respiratory Viruses and Immunologic Response (Blood Donor Cohort) |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative Agreement |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Health |
| Category Explanation: | |
| Expected Number of Awards: | 1 |
| CFDA Number(s): | 93.083 — Prevention of Disease, Disability, and Death through Immunization and Control of Respiratory and Related Diseases |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Dec 12, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Dec 12, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 16, 2024 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm ET on the listed application due date. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 16, 2024 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm ET on the listed application due date. |
| Archive Date: | Mar 17, 2024 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $ 26,500,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $4,500,000 |
| Award Floor: | $3,000,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | State governments 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 Special district governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts County governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ERA |
| Description: | This project would establish and sustain a national longitudinal cohort of repeat blood donors with the purpose of monitoring changes in antibody titers against common or novel respiratory viruses; surveying the donors to assess for risk factors for infection, vaccination status, respiratory symptoms, and severe illness; and establishing a repository for further analysis as new assays to measure the immune response to respiratory virus infections are developed.During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC used a contract mechanism to fund national serosurveillance studies, which used regular antibody assessments and surveys to monitor the burden of infection, risk factors for infection, and explore the duration and extend of immunity by population throughout the US (2020-2022). By 2022, algorithms for using quantitative antibody titers to detect reinfection were established and tested, creating novel systems for monitoring burden even in the setting of high overall seroprevalence.Adapting these tools to the current context, this research cooperative agreement would establish a large-scale longitudinal cohort (>50,000 persons) of repeat blood donors with the purpose of: 1) estimating the national burden of incident SARS-CoV-2 infection, and further adapting the approach to other respiratory viruses as technology allows including Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza, Human Metapneumovirus, EVD-68, and others; 2) determining antibody thresholds for protection across multiple respiratory viruses; 3) assessing state- or region-specific population-level immunity to/risk for infection through tracking median antibody titers within various populations; and 4) monitoring waning immunity and changes in immune capabilities in the context of ongoing viral evolution. |
| Link to Additional Information: | |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Dr. Jamal Bankhead
JBankhead@cdc.gov |