Enhancing Mechanistic Research on Precision Probiotic Therapies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support innovative mechanistic research aimed at enhancing precision probiotic therapies.

The goal is to address barriers in developing effective probiotic interventions that account for human heterogeneity, which leads to inconsistent responses to probiotics. This initiative seeks to identify and understand person-specific biological features that influence probiotic efficacy.

Grant Details
The NOFO solicits R33 applications focused on mechanistic studies that assess the causality of individual biological patterns affecting probiotic responses. Key tasks include:
1) Determining causal effects of host biological patterns on modifying probiotic responses in relevant preclinical models or human populations;
2) Elucidating mechanisms through which these patterns modify probiotic responses;
3) Optimizing computational and AI tools to identify host biological factors.

Applications must demonstrate rigorous study designs using innovative animal models or human subjects, with preliminary data supporting identified biological patterns.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local and state governments, and tribal governments. Special encouragement is given to institutions serving underrepresented populations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.

Period of Performance
The total project period may not exceed 4 years, with a budget cap of $350,000 in direct costs per year.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant is contingent upon NIH appropriations, with individual awards potentially reaching up to $350,000 annually.