A new RFA entitled "Genetic Aspects of Tuberculosis in the Lung" (RFA-HL-00-014), may be of interest to you and your associates. It was published in the September 8, 2000 "NIH Guide and is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-00-014.html

The application receipt date is January 17, 2001. It is anticipated that support for this program will begin July 1, 2001. Applicants may request up to five years of support.

The objective of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to stimulate research on the genetic aspects of tuberculosis, exploiting advances in molecular biology and genomics research. It is important to learn about the interaction between host and microbial genes, and to identify genes, or families of genes, that determine virulence, latency, reactivation of disease or resistance to antituberculous drugs. Areas of particular interest are studies using novel biotechnologies, such as microarrays, molecular beacon technology, or differential signature-tagged mutagenesis (DSTM) and innovative collaborations with computational biologists to identify genes that mediate the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and elucidate the mechanisms that are responsible. Another important goal of the program is to encourage junior level quantitative biologists to work on the genetic aspects of TB. To facilitate their participation the Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) has been included as one of the mechanisms of support under this RFA. Among the disciplines and expertise that may be appropriate for this research program are genetics, molecular biology, computational biology/mathematical modeling, biostatistics, pathogenesis of infections, immunology, lung cell biology, bacteriology, pulmonology, infectious diseases, pathology, epidemiology, and veterinary medicine.

The program is cosponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood, Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). R01 awards will be MODULAR Funds for the R01s must be requested in $25,000 direct cost modules. A maximum of 12 modules ($300,000 direct costs) per year may be requested for R01s. Funding for the K25 awards for junior level mathematicians is determined by the allowable costs designated for the K25 type of award, salary of up to $75,000 per year plus fringe benefits and research development support of up to $40,000 per year for other specified expenses. The K25s are NOT MODULAR. The K25s should be submitted for the RFA receipt date. Eligibility criteria and special instructions for the K 25 awards are available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-99-087.html. You may apply for an R01 grant or a K25 award under this RFA, but not for both grants. Each application submitted for this RFA must be a complete, independent entity and not depend on any other application submitted in response to this RFA. Applications should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the objectives, requirements and recommendations described in the RFA.

R01 awards in response to this announcement will be made to foreign institutions only for research of very unusual merit, need, and promise, and in accordance with Public Health Service policy governing such awards. Foreign institutions cannot receive K awards.

We hope this RFA and participating in this program will be of interest to you.