Emergency Awards: Research Projects in SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is associated with the COVID-19 Supplement funded through the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139) which directs the National Cancer Institute of the NIH to develop, validate, improve, and implement serological testing and associated technologies. The purpose of the FOA is to establish Serological Sciences Research Projects with the goals of: identifying and advancing research opportunities to characterize the immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection; understanding the mechanisms driving the serological, humoral and cellular immune responses; determining host, genetic, and environmental modifiers of the immune response; and determining the serological correlates of disease pathogenesis and protection against future infection; defining access, communication, and implementation barriers related to SARS-CoV-2 serological testing. These U01 Research Projects will be part of a Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet). Other components of the Network will include Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence (U54), the FNLCR Serology Laboratory, Serological Capacity Building Centers (CBC), and a Serological Sciences Network Coordinating Center (SSNCC), which will be managed through the Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research (FNLCR), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center. It may also include SBIR grants and other grants and contracts related to serology associated with SARS-CoV-2. All components are expected to collaborate across the entire Network, sharing data, results, and reagents. This FOA solicits U01 research project applications, whereas the companion FOA, RFA-CA-20-038, solicits multi-component U54 Centers applications. Successful applicants from both FOAs will become members of the Serological Sciences Network.