Human Virome Characterization Centers (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health
The RFA will solicit applications for the Human Virome Program under the NIH Common Fund to establish multicomponent Virome Centers that will focus on the identification and characterization of the human virome in longitudinal and diverse cohorts across several body sites and tissues. The multicore structure of each center will allow for specialized and broad expertise in isolating viruses (circulating, proviral, integrated forms) and a coordinated, and comprehensive research program for recruiting diverse participants, collecting and analyzing many types of biospecimens, standardizing and analyzing center data, and addressing ethical, social and legal implications of human virome research. The Centers will also work collaboratively across the program consortium of separately awarded investigative teams in the coordination and management of consortium policies and practices. Similar to other U54 initiatives, the virome centers have unique objectives and specific review criteria and core specifications outlined in the RFA, and currently, there are no existing study sections with the necessary expertise to review this complex program.
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.