Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19) | RFA AI 16 065

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 16 065

The Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19) funding opportunity (RFA-AI-16-065) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to support large, center-based research programs focused on asthma and a range of allergic and inflammatory diseases. The program invites applications from either a single institution or a consortium of institutions willing to operate as an integrated research center. The core idea is to bring clinical research and basic science together in a tightly coordinated way so that discoveries about underlying biology can be connected to patient-focused observations, and vice versa, with the aim of speeding up progress toward better interventions.

Scientifically, the centers supported through this program are expected to study the mechanisms that drive the onset and progression of several priority conditions, specifically asthma; rhinitis (both allergic and non-allergic); chronic rhinosinusitis; atopic dermatitis; food allergy; and drug allergy. The emphasis is on understanding pathogenesis, meaning the biological and immunological processes that cause disease to start, worsen, or persist. By pushing for mechanistic insight rather than isolated descriptive studies, the program is structured to help create a rational foundation for new treatments and prevention strategies. In practical terms, that means the funded centers should be positioned to explain not only what happens in these diseases, but why it happens, which patient subgroups are most affected, and which pathways might be targeted to prevent disease development or reduce severity.

Because this is a U19 cooperative agreement, it implies a collaborative model where NIH program staff typically have a more active partnership role than in a standard grant. The expectation is that awardees will operate as part of a broader cooperative research effort, using a center structure that can coordinate multiple projects and shared resources, align clinical and laboratory components, and generate findings that have a clear line of sight to improving care. The opportunity is categorized under Health and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.855 and 93.856.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The program also allows applications from nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. In addition, the announcement highlights other eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones, and U.S. territories or possessions.

There are also important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, foreign components are allowed when they meet NIH’s definition under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain foreign collaborations or elements as part of the project when justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though the applying organization itself must be domestic.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on 2016-08-10, with an original closing date of 2017-04-03. The listed award ceiling is $900,000, and the expected number of awards is not specified in the provided source data. Overall, this FOA is aimed at building coordinated research centers capable of producing mechanistic discoveries that translate into more effective, evidence-based approaches to treating and preventing asthma and allergic diseases.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855, 93.856.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-04-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AI 16 065

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: