Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence, Clinical Research Program (UM1 Clinical Trial Required)

Background
The Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence (ACE) is a cooperative network intended to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of autoimmune diseases. The ACE program was founded on the premise that collaborations among basic and clinical scientists can accelerate both fundamental and applied research. The ACE combines Basic and Clinical research programs.
Members of the Clinical research program will conduct innovative studies of human autoimmunity within Clinical and Collaborative Projects.

Grant Details
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit applications for the Clinical research program of the Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence (ACE). The goal of the ACE is to conduct insightful analyses of human immunology as it applies to autoimmune disease(s), within and among collaborative Centers and especially in the context of Clinical Projects, i.e., clinical trials with integrated mechanistic studies. The members of the Clinical and Basic ACE will work together after award to design, develop, and conduct studies of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases in humans. The ACE program coordinates individual Centers, each awarded through either this clinical program or through the companion basic research program.
The 6 elements of each Clinical Center are described below in this section (Administration Coordination, ACE Funds Management Coordination (AFMC), ACE Biorepository Coordination (ABC), Primary and Alternate Clinical Projects, and the Collaborative Project).

Eligibility Requirements
Only one application per institution is allowed. Eligible organizations include Higher Education Institutions, Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education, Private Institutions of Higher Education, Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education), Small Businesses, For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses), Local Governments, State Governments, County Governments, City or Township Governments, Special District Governments, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized), Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized), Federal Government Agencies, U.S. Territory or Possession Agencies.

Period of Performance
The total project period is 5 years.

Grant Value
$7.2 million is planned to be committed to the ACE Program (Clinical and Basic) in fiscal year 2024. NIAID anticipates 2-4 UM1 awards within the ACE Clinical Research Program.