Request for Information (RFI): Public Comment on Development of a Funding Opportunity Announcement on Highly Innovative Tactics to Interrupt Transmission of HIV

Notice Number: NOT-AI-08-049

Key Dates
Release Date: April 18, 2008
Opening Date: April 20, 2008
Closing Date: May 20, 2008

The email address for this RFI will not be available after COB May 20, 2008.

Issued by
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (http://www.niaid.nih.gov)

Purpose
NIAID is seeking input from the scientific community regarding novel research topic areas and approaches that could be exploited to develop highly innovative tactics to interrupt transmission of HIV. The information obtained from responses to this RFI will aid the Division of AIDS (DAIDS), NIAID, in developing a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for applications that aim to stimulate discovery, design and early preclinical evaluation of highly innovative, risky but rational approaches that could provide long-term protection from acquiring HIV infection. Opinions from junior investigators and new faculty are particularly encouraged.

Please be advised that NIAID has published an RFI concurrent to this one, for input on basic vaccine discovery research. [NOT-AI-08-048] Interested individuals are invited to respond to both RFIs.

Background
The identification of safe and effective preventive approaches to interrupt HIV transmission is among the highest priorities of NIAID. Setbacks in both antibody and T cell-based HIV vaccine trials and in trials of microbicide candidates and other biomedical prevention methods suggest that identifying highly effective prevention strategies may prove even more elusive than anticipated.

Taken together, this information emphasizes the need for innovative research to invigorate the field and to stimulate design and testing of novel intervention tactics/strategies that can prevent HIV infection and interrupt transmission. New discoveries in HIV pathogenesis and virus adaptation in the host are currently providing critical information and fresh opportunities with potential for developing effective strategies that prevent infection and interrupt transmission.

Information Requested
In order to aid the conceptualization of the anticipated FOA, this RFI invites the scientific community to respond to the following questions:

1. What research should be solicited? In other words, what new information, including that from established fields such as HIV immunology, pathogenesis and virology, could be applied to develop an effective strategy to prevent the establishment of a pathogenic HIV acquisition? How could that new information be used to design a novel intervention?

2. What research should be excluded? In other words, what prevention approaches have already been, or are currently being explored at a sufficient level?

3. Should feasibility be demonstrated in the grant application? In other words, are preliminary data required to enable reviewers to assess the value of a specific new innovative approach?

Responses
Responses will be accepted through May 20, 2008 and may be sent to the following email address: (HIT-ITrfi@niaid.nih.gov)

You are asked to limit your total response to a maximum of 5 pages.

This RFI shall not be construed as a solicitation for applications or as an obligation on the part of the government. The government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Responders should be aware that the information provided will be analyzed and may be used to develop future funding opportunity announcements and/or appear in various reports. The government cannot guarantee the confidentiality of the information provided.

Inquiries

Questions about this request for information may be directed to:

Geetha Bansal, Ph.D.
Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH
Telephone: 301-496-5042
FAX: 301-496-0530
Email: gbansal@niaid.nih.gov

or

Opendra Sharma, Ph.D.
Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH
Telephone: 301-496-9041
FAX: 301-402-3211
Email: osharma@niaid.nih.gov