CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent-induced Pulmonary and Ocular Pathophysiological Mechanisms (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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Description

This opportunity, issued by the NIH Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP), funds research to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms by which chemical threat agents cause acute injury to the eyes and lungs. The goal is to identify molecular or genetic targets that could be leveraged to reduce or prevent these acute effects, laying the groundwork for future development of medical countermeasures. The program specifically targets chemicals identified as high-consequence public health threats by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is part of the NIH-wide CounterACT initiative.

Research must address the scientific priorities of the CCRP, focusing on acute and/or long-term pathophysiological effects following exposure to pulmonary and/or ocular toxicants. Projects may use animal models, organoids, ex vivo, in vitro, and/or in silico approaches. Studies on the impact of comorbidities (e.g., age, sex, pregnancy, pre-existing disease) are encouraged.

Clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity.

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Due Dates

• Earliest Submission Date: August 24, 2024
• Application Deadlines:
  • September 24, 2024
  • September 24, 2025
  • September 23, 2026
• Letter of Intent: 30 days before each application due date (optional but encouraged)

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

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Funding Amount

• Total Funding (FY25): NIH intends to commit $3 million to fund up to 5 awards.
• Award Budget: Up to $300,000 in direct costs per year.
  • For projects using only in vitro and/or in silico research, the budget cannot exceed $200,000 direct costs per year.
• Project Duration: Maximum of 3 years.
• No cost sharing or matching required.

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Public/State and Private Institutions of Higher Education
• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments/organizations
• Faith-based and community-based organizations
• Regional organizations
• U.S. territories and possessions
• Eligible agencies of the federal government

Restrictions:

• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
• Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Individuals: Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI may apply.

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Application Process

• Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
• Required Registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov (can take 6+ weeks).
• Application Instructions: Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and the specific instructions in the NOFO.
• Letter of Intent: Not required, but recommended. Email to Leroy Worth Jr, PhD (worth@niehs.nih.gov).
• Biosafety: All applications must include a letter from institutional biosafety officials confirming the safety of proposed studies for personnel and the environment. Special certifications may be required for certain chemical agents.
• Budget: Include travel for the PD/PI to attend the Annual CounterACT Network Research Symposium each year.

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Additional Information

Research Scope and Responsiveness

• Responsive Projects: Must focus on acute or delayed (not chronic/repetitive) effects of DHS Chemicals of Concern (CoCs) on pulmonary and/or ocular systems.
• Non-Responsive Projects:
  • Studies on chemicals not on the DHS CoC list.
  • Projects on chronic/repetitive or environmental/occupational exposures.
  • Efficacy studies (e.g., creation/validation of candidate countermeasures).
• Model Requirements:
  • Pulmonary studies must use at least two toxicants and both sexes; animal studies require at least two species/strains.
  • Ocular studies should address multiple aspects of chemical injury and, where possible, use multiple models and/or in vitro/in silico approaches.
• Biosafety: Research with highly hazardous chemicals may require special certifications; applicants are encouraged to collaborate with certified labs.

Data Management

• All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan per NIH policy.

Review Criteria

• Scientific merit, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and environment.
• Applications are peer-reviewed and scored for overall impact.

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External Links

• Full Funding Opportunity Announcement (NIH)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing
• NIH How to Apply - Application Guide
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
• NIH Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP)

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Contact Information

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