VUMC Limited Submission Opportunity: NIH Emergency Awards: Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies; deadline is Aug. 25
Applications due August 25
VUMC: These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
Overview:
VUMC may submit 1 application to the NIH Emergency Awards: Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies Towards Multi-Parametric and Integrated Approaches for SARS-CoV-2 (U18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) program. This emergency FOA provides an expedited funding mechanism as part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Radical (RADx-rad) initiative.
This FOA seeks to use developed technologies for single vesicle or exosome isolation and analysis and reposition these technologies for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Newly developed technologies for single vesicle, exosome, and exRNA isolation and analyses will be repositioned for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus that has similar physical and chemical properties as exosomes. These technologies will utilize non-invasive, point-of-care sample collection from body fluids to develop non-invasive, reliable, and reproducible COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Applications should state how the proposed SARS-CoV-2 isolation and detection strategy will improve upon current COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Support will be provided for up to two years for the initial proof of concept studies.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to leverage existing research resources for their studies whenever possible. NIH has developed innovative solutions that will improve the efficiency, quality, and impact of the process for turning observations in the laboratory, clinic and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and the public through programs such as: NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program, Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs (REACH), and Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) for commercialization of final products. Applicants are encouraged to leverage all available internal (e.g., home institutional) and external (e.g., external institutional, NIH, and/or NCATS) resources to identify clinically relevant COVID-19 populations.
Award Information:
NIH intends to commit $10 million in total costs over a two-year period. NIH anticipates funding 5 awards. Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. See the RFA for more information.
Internal Application Process:
Eligible faculty interested in being one of VUMC’s nominees must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on August 25:
1. Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget;
2. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
3. NIH Biosketch
Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email. Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.