Fundamental Research to Understand the Mechanisms of Neurotropic Virus-mediated Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 23 028

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 23 028

The grant opportunity "Fundamental Research to Understand the Mechanisms of Neurotropic Virus-mediated Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-23-028) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant designed to push forward basic, mechanistic understanding of how emerging and re-emerging neurotropic viruses cause disease. The central emphasis is on foundational research rather than testing interventions in people, which is why the announcement explicitly states that clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for projects that explain, at a biological and immunological level, how these viruses reach the central nervous system (CNS), what they do once there, how the host responds, and how those processes translate into neurological signs, symptoms, and broader clinical outcomes.

The scientific focus is on three tightly connected areas. First is viral invasion of the CNS, meaning the step-by-step pathways and barriers involved when a virus moves from peripheral sites of infection into the brain and spinal cord. This can include understanding routes such as blood-brain barrier crossing, entry through peripheral nerves, trafficking via infected immune cells, or other mechanisms that allow neurotropic viruses to access neural tissue. Second is neuropathogenesis driven either directly by the virus, by the host immune response, or by an interaction of both. This includes research into viral replication and tropism within neural or glial cells, the molecular triggers of inflammation in the nervous system, immune-mediated damage, and the downstream consequences of acute infection that can lead to persistent or delayed neurological problems. Third is the link between these biological mechanisms and clinical manifestations, meaning studies that connect mechanistic findings to the types of neurological disease patterns seen with these infections, such as encephalitis, meningitis, myelitis, neuropathies, seizures, cognitive or behavioral changes, and other neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative-like outcomes associated with certain viral infections.

The funding mechanism is an NIH R01, which generally supports substantial, multi-year research programs with clearly defined aims, strong preliminary rationale, and a plan to generate impactful mechanistic insight. The activity category is Health, and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 93.855. The FOA is positioned for basic research, which can still involve human-derived materials or data in many NIH contexts (for example, de-identified specimens, observational analyses, or pathogenesis studies) so long as the work does not meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial. The overall intent is to strengthen the mechanistic evidence base needed to understand disease processes and, over time, inform prevention and treatment strategies, even though testing of interventions in humans is not supported under this specific call.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants such as state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those categories). It also allows applications from for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights other eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations. This wide eligibility signals an interest in drawing on diverse institutional strengths and, potentially, international expertise where relevant to neurotropic viral threats.

Key administrative details from the source information include the NIH as the sponsoring agency, the opportunity being posted/created on 2023-04-07, and the original closing date listed as 2023-08-25. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should rely on the full FOA text and NIH institute guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and likely funding levels. Overall, this announcement is best suited for teams proposing rigorous mechanistic studies that clarify how neurotropic viruses enter the CNS, how infection and immune responses drive neurological injury, and how those biological processes map onto the clinical patterns seen in real-world disease, without proposing clinical trial activities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fundamental Research to Understand the Mechanisms of Neurotropic Virus-mediated Disease (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 2023-04-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-08-25. (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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