Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AI 24 079

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 24 079

The Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (AADCRC) opportunity (RFA-AI-24-079) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding notice that supports multi-project research centers through a U19 cooperative agreement mechanism. It is designed for a single institution or a consortium of institutions that can operate as an integrated center, bringing together clinical and translational research under one coordinated program. Because it is a cooperative agreement, awardees should expect substantial scientific and/or programmatic involvement from NIH compared with a standard research grant, with an emphasis on coordinated goals, shared expectations, and active collaboration.

The scientific focus is on understanding the mechanisms that drive the onset and progression of major asthma and allergy-related conditions. The NOFO highlights asthma as well as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and drug allergy. The central idea is to connect mechanistic discoveries to clinically relevant questions, so that studies not only describe what is happening biologically, but also clarify why disease starts, why it worsens, and how different pathways might be targeted. The longer-term objective is practical: improving understanding of disease pathogenesis in a way that supports a rational pipeline for better treatments and prevention strategies, rather than relying on trial-and-error approaches.

The center-based structure implies applications should propose an integrated program of research that spans clinical investigation and translational work, typically linking patient-oriented studies, immunologic or biologic mechanisms, and analysis approaches that can move findings toward interventions. The title notes "Clinical Trial Optional," which signals that applications may include clinical trials but are not required to do so; applicants can propose trial-ready translational studies, observational clinical research, mechanistic human studies, or a mix that fits the overall center theme, as long as the work aligns with the program goal of uncovering mechanisms and enabling improved therapeutic or preventive strategies.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly calls out several categories that are encouraged/recognized as eligible where applicable, 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign participation is restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply under this NOFO. In practice, this means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the proposed work must not be structured around an ineligible foreign component as part of the applicant institution.

Administratively, this is a discretionary health funding opportunity under CFDA 93.855, with an original closing date of 2025-06-13 and a creation date of 2025-01-16. The NOFO does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the text provided, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget expectations, project period limits, required components of the U19 center, review criteria, and any mandated shared resources or governance structures typical of cooperative center programs.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 2025-01-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-06-13. (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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