Basic Research to Inform Vaccine and Therapeutic Development for Non-Polio Human Enteroviruses (NPEV) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 21 006

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The grant opportunity titled "Basic Research to Inform Vaccine and Therapeutic Development for Non-Polio Human Enteroviruses (NPEV) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA AI 21 006) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary funding program that supports basic research aimed at accelerating future medical countermeasures for non-polio enteroviruses. Its central goal is to expand foundational scientific understanding of NPEVs in ways that directly inform the development of two major types of interventions: (1) pan-enterovirus vaccines that could provide broad protection across multiple enterovirus types, and (2) broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics that could work against a wide range of enteroviruses. The opportunity specifically emphasizes enteroviruses across species A, B, C, and D, reflecting the public health need created by the diversity of circulating non-polio enteroviruses and the challenge of creating solutions that remain effective despite viral variation.

This is an R01 mechanism, meaning it is designed for hypothesis-driven, investigator-initiated research projects that can support substantial, multi-year basic science efforts. The "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" designation is an important boundary for the scope of work: applicants are expected to propose non-clinical studies rather than human interventional trials. In practice, this points researchers toward laboratory, computational, and preclinical research activities such as studying viral biology, identifying conserved viral targets, understanding immune responses that can provide cross-protection, clarifying mechanisms of pathogenesis, and generating knowledge that can be translated into vaccine antigen design or antiviral drug target selection. The emphasis is on the kind of early-stage research that reduces key scientific unknowns and de-risks downstream product development, rather than funding late-stage testing in people.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly notes eligibility for a range of institution types and community-focused organizations, including 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, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and eligible federal government agencies. It also allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), which can be particularly relevant for enterovirus research given global circulation patterns and the value of international strain surveillance, specimen access, and specialized expertise.

The funding activity category is Health, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 93.855. The opportunity record indicates the original closing date was 2021-07-13, with a creation date of 2021-02-12. An award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full announcement or NIH budget guidance to understand practical budget expectations, limits (if any), and how awards might be sized relative to the proposed scope.

Overall, this announcement is aimed at strengthening the basic science pipeline for NPEV countermeasures by supporting research that identifies broadly conserved vulnerabilities across enteroviruses, clarifies immune correlates that could enable cross-type vaccine protection, and lays the groundwork for antivirals with activity against multiple enterovirus groups. The intended outcome is not a finished vaccine or drug from this award alone, but a stronger evidence base and clearer set of validated targets and principles that make pan-enterovirus vaccine and broad-spectrum antiviral development more feasible and faster to advance in later translational and clinical stages.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Research to Inform Vaccine and Therapeutic Development for Non-Polio Human Enteroviruses (NPEV) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-02-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

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