Part I Overview Information


Department of Health and Human Services

Participating Organizations
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov/)

Components of Participating Organizations
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), (http://www.niaid.nih.gov)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/)
Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), (http://orwh.od.nih.gov/)

Title:  Microbicide Innovation Program (MIP V) (R21/R33)

Announcement Type
This is a reissue of RFA-AI-06-005, RFA-AI-06-042, RFA-AI-07-034, and RFA-AI-08-016.

Request for Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-AI-09-021

NOTICE: Applications submitted in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Federal assistance must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF424 Research and Related (R&R) forms and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUBMITTED IN PAPER FORMAT.

This FOA must be read in conjunction with the application guidelines included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).

A registration process is necessary before submission and applicants are highly encouraged to start the process at least four (4) weeks prior to the grant submission date. See Section IV.


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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s)
93.855, 93.856, 93.242  

Key Dates
Release/Posted Date: April 15, 2009
Opening Date:  June 10, 2009 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): June 10, 2009
NOTE: On-time submission requires that applications be successfully submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization). 
Application Receipt Date(s): July 10, 2009
Peer Review Date(s): November, 2009
Council Review Date(s): January, 2010
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: March, 2010
Additional Information To Be Available Date (Url Activation Date): Not Applicable
Expiration Date: July 11, 2009

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

Not Applicable.

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary

Table of Contents


Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
1. Research Objectives


Section II. Award Information

1. Mechanism of Support

2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants

    A. Eligible Institutions
    B. Eligible Individuals
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Request Application Information

2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
    A. Receipt, Review, and Anticipated Start Dates
          1. Letter of Intent
    B. Submitting an Application Electronically to the NIH
    C. Application Processing   
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Section V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
    A. Additional Review Criteria
    B. Additional Review Considerations
    C. Resource Sharing Plan(s)
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Section VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
3. Reporting


Section VII. Agency Contacts
1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)

2. Peer Review Contact(s)
3. Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations

Part II - Full Text of Announcement


Section I. Funding Opportunity Description


1. Research Objectives

The purpose of the Microbicide Innovation Program is to support novel, high-risk and under-explored strategies in the field of topical microbicides, ultimately to facilitate the design and development of technology or methodology that can advance the field as a whole.  A safe, effective, acceptable topical microbicide that prevents the sexual transmission of HIV could play a major role in world-wide reduction of the over 6,800 new HIV infections per day, potentially saving millions of lives.  Topical microbicides are agents which when applied vaginally, rectally, or on the penis can result in inhibition of the transmission of HIV and/or other sexually transmitted infections (STI) that may be co-factors in HIV transmission and acquisition.  Recent studies demonstrate that microbicide combinations can protect against SHIV infection in non-human primates (http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2005/monkeymicrob.htm).  However, on-going large-scale efficacy trials have yet to demonstrate efficacy in humans.  Of the original five candidates undergoing Phase 2B and Phase 3 clinical evaluation (Carraguard®, Savvy®, Cellulose Sulphate, 2% and 0.5 % PRO2000/5 and BufferGel®).  The results of the NIAID-sponsored HPTN035 trial with 0.5 % PRO2000/5 and BufferGel®) were recently reported at the 2009 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (February 8-11, 2009 Montreal, Canada). These results are described at the following link http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/HPTN_035_gel.htm. A second clinical trial (Phase III) with 0.5 % PRO2000/5 conduced by the Medical Research Council and the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom is expected to conclude in August 2009. Additionally, a phase II/IIB trial using Tenofovir/PMPA gel (CAPRISA 004) was begun in May 2007 (http://www.caprisa.org/Projects/microbicides.html#2).

The MIP program is designed to foster the introduction of novel scientific ideas, model systems, tools, agents, targets, and technologies with the potential to iteratively and substantially advance microbicide science.  Aims of this research may include identification and development of new, potentially high-risk approaches and antiviral targets for microbicides.  Efforts can also include the identification of new lead microbicide candidates or targets through incremental and iterative optimization of the microbicide candidate/target.  This may be done by demonstrating: (1) establishment of new pathways to microbicide-related science, (2) in vitro demonstration in a relevant model of efficacy with minimal or no toxicity for newly discovered leads, (3) activity (single dose) or lack of toxicity (multiple dose) in relevant animal models, or (4) preliminary data that establish a strong rationale for the use of the vaginal, rectal and/or penile microbicide or strategy.

Applications that propose technological/methodological advancement must be directly applicable to microbicide discovery and development.  Advancement includes approaches designed to substantially improve existing method(s) for safety, effectiveness, or acceptability assessment.  Applications may incorporate unique approaches to product development and/or discovery of new molecular entities or targets applicable to the microbicide HIV/STI prevention problem that may be deployed as single, combination, or multi-component microbicide product.  Proposed projects could assess novel areas of investigation or new experimental systems that have the potential to enhance microbicide-related research.

The Microbicide Innovation Program (MIP V) will support five areas:

(1) Advancement of microbicides through basic and preclinical research, leading to new opportunities for microbicide development.

(2) Discovery and preclinical characterization of microbicides (singly or in combination) directed against HIV and/or STIs that potentially contribute to HIV transmission and acquisition.  These STIs include, but are not limited to: Herpes Simplex virus, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponena pallidum, human Papillomavirus, Haemophilus ducreyi, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chylamydia trachomatis and Bacterial Vaginosis.

(3) Emerging technologies or models that contribute to new and/or more efficient mechanisms for (i) understanding the interaction of microbicide candidates with vaginal, rectal and penile mucosa, (ii) assessing microbicide safety, efficacy and acceptability, (iii) discovery and characterization of new microbicide candidates, (iv) formulation and delivery of microbicide products, and (v) validation of surrogate markers for safety and/or efficacy.

(4) Complex prevention strategies incorporating application of vaginal, rectal and/or penile microbicides with other prevention modalities.

(5) Development of behavioral and social tools that address product acceptability, initiation, and potential for sustained use.  Tools must be designed to integrate with microbicide preclinical development and allow iterative improvements in the product or strategy employed.  Success of these tools will hinge on behavioral, cultural, and contextual factors (e.g., product characteristics, perceived risk of infection, partner cooperation, etc.).

Applicants are encouraged to develop nanotechnology approaches for all areas of interest in this RFA

Examples of the types of studies that are considered responsive to this FOA and could be supported under this program include but are not limited to:

Applications proposing research in the following areas will NOT be considered responsive to this FOA and will not be reviewed:

Phase I, II or III clinical trials proposed specifically to advance an IND for a microbicide or microbicide strategy or “first-time-in human” studies will NOT be supported.  However, clinical research that uses clinical specimens or uses collection of behavioral or social data may be supported under this FOA.  Applicants are strongly urged to discuss any application containing clinical elements with Program prior to submission.

Since this RFA does not support clinical trials, activities included in the R21 or R33 that are intended solely for enabling/facilitating clinical studies to be conducted elsewhere, or to be supported with funds from other microbicide sponsors, are NOT responsive.  Examples are specific aims, objectives and or milestones that: (1) support preparation of a pre-IND, (2) interactions with the FDA, (3) IND submissions to the FDA, and 3) production of clinical supplies for future trials.  These nonresponsive criteria do not preclude research aimed at optimizing specific microbicide production processes such as developing unique and innovative methods to produce a potential microbicide product, formulation and/or delivery device.  Nor do they preclude incorporating research or testing that could contribute to an IND submission if the proposed activities support the scientific advancements proposed in the application.  Investigators are encouraged to discuss applications that could potentially fall into this nonresponsive criterion with Program prior to submission.

Because of the uncertainty of the efficacy of candidate microbicides and other prevention strategies, the need to maintain a balanced portfolio of candidates, expertise and microbicide strategies is critical toward meeting NIH’s commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention and will be carefully considered in making funding decisions.  The Government reserves the right to make awards that cover significantly different concepts as a mechanism to achieve programmatic balance.

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information


1. Mechanism of Support

This FOA will use the NIH Phased Innovation Award (R21/R33) that couples the Phase I (R21) and Phase II (R33) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant award mechanisms.  The combined R21/R33 application offers two advantages over the regular application process: (1) single submission and evaluation of both the R21 component and the R33 component as one application; and (2) minimal or no funding gap between the R21 and R33 phases.

Transition of the R21 to the R33 phase will be expedited and is dependent on the completion of negotiated milestones.  Milestones will be evaluated in the peer review process and negotiated with NIAID or NIMH program staff prior to award of the R21 phase.  Once milestones are achieved, advancement to the R33 phase will be considered.  The SOP for the R21/R33 mechanism can be found at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/sop/r21r33.htm

Although applicants are solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, the transition from the R21 feasibility phase, and eligibility for award of the R33 development phase, will be determined by NIAID or NIMH program staff in the context of the peer review recommendations and based on successful completion of negotiated scientific milestones, program priorities, and availability of funds.

The R21 phase provides up to two years of funding for innovative hypothesis-driven projects supported by limited or no preliminary data to allow investigators to demonstrate feasibility of the proposed microbicide-related innovation or developed technology using Milestones.  Although preliminary data are not required, applicants are urged to supply preliminary data when possible, and in lieu of preliminary supporting data are urged to provide sufficient information to allow assessment of the rationale of the proposed hypothesis or concept.  The R33 award provides a second phase for the support of additional innovative exploratory research initiated under the R21 mechanism for a period of up to three years, for a total period of support of five years

Under this FOA applicants may only submit for the combined R21/R33 (Phased Innovation Award). 

Applications for R21 support alone ARE NOT accepted under this FOA and will not be reviewed.

Investigators seeking support solely through the R21 mechanism are encouraged to apply for the NIH-wide R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (see http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-181.html, or other announcements).

The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

This FOA uses “Just-in-Time” information concepts (see SF424 (R&R) Application Guide)

U.S. applicants requesting more than $250,000 in annual direct costs and all foreign applicants must complete and submit budget requests using the Research & Related Budget component.

2. Funds Available

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds.

Funding for the total project period for an application submitted in response to this FOA cannot exceed five years.  Support for the R21 feasibility phase cannot exceed two years and is limited to $275,000 direct costs over the two year award period with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.  Budgetary support for the R33 phase is limited to $300,000 per annum in direct costs and cannot exceed three years.

The NIH funding components anticipate a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the initially funded applications can eventually progress to the R33 phase.  Funding of the R33 phase will be based on program priorities, the availability of funds, and successful completion of negotiated scientific milestones within the R21 phase, as determined by NIAID or NIMH Program staff in the context of peer review recommendations.

Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation. See NOT-OD-05-004.

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information


1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

The following organizations/institutions are eligible to apply:


Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices


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