Analysis of data in the COVID-19 Neuro Databank-Biobank (R03 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA NS 24 025

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 24 025

This funding opportunity, RFA-NS-24-025, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant mechanism using the R03 (small grant) format, and it is specifically limited to projects that do not involve clinical trials. Its central goal is to support investigators who want to work with existing, de-identified data housed in the COVID-19 Neuro Databank-Biobank, also referred to as the NeuroCOVID Project. The NeuroCOVID Project was launched in 2020 to create a national-scale resource for understanding how COVID-19 affects the nervous system, including both new neurological complications linked to infection and the ways COVID-19 may worsen or interact with pre-existing neurological conditions. Because the resource includes curated contributions from sites across the United States and internationally, it is positioned to enable broader analyses than a single institution could typically conduct on its own.

The NOFO encourages hypothesis-driven studies that aggregate, harmonize, and analyze already-collected NeuroCOVID data to generate new insights about neurological outcomes associated with COVID-19. Applicants are expected to use the existing database as the core substrate for their research questions, and they may also combine NeuroCOVID data with other U.S. or international datasets to strengthen analyses, expand comparison groups, or validate findings. At the same time, the opportunity draws a firm boundary around what it will not support: it does not fund the collection of new primary data from people affected by COVID-19 or from newly recruited comparison cohorts. In practice, that means projects should be designed around secondary data analysis, data integration, and statistical or computational approaches rather than new patient enrollment, new specimen collection, or prospective clinical follow-up.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Health and is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 93.853. The listed award ceiling is $50,000, consistent with the R03 small grant approach, which is generally intended for tightly focused projects that can be completed with modest resources. The original closing date provided is 2023-11-08. While the record does not specify the number of expected awards, the intent is to fund work that can move quickly and efficiently using the existing de-identified NeuroCOVID dataset.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types such as 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions where applicable); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Overall, the opportunity is structured to broaden participation while keeping the scientific scope tightly centered on analysis of existing NeuroCOVID data to advance understanding of COVID-19-related neurological complications.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Analysis of data in the COVID-19 Neuro Databank-Biobank (R03 - 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): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-06-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-08. (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 $50,000.00 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 NS 24 025

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