Investigation of the Transmission of Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 20 046

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 046

This funding opportunity, titled "Investigation of the Transmission of Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (RFA-CA-20-046), is a discretionary NIH grant program led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Its central purpose is to push forward research that clarifies how Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), is transmitted between people, what happens biologically during the earliest stages of infection, and which behavioral, social, clinical, and environmental factors increase a persons risk of becoming infected. The FOA emphasizes that stronger evidence about transmission and early infection is needed to design practical strategies that can reduce or interrupt spread of KSHV and, as a result, prevent KSHV-driven diseases.

The public health motivation behind the announcement is the close connection between KSHV infection and several serious conditions, particularly in people living with HIV or those at elevated risk of acquiring HIV. KSHV is the causative virus for Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and is also responsible for KSHV-associated multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), among other KSHV-induced illnesses. By focusing on how infection starts and how it moves through communities, the FOA is aiming to generate knowledge that can be translated into real prevention approaches, including interventions tailored for populations disproportionately affected by HIV and HIV-related cancers.

The award mechanism is an R01, meaning it supports investigator-initiated research projects that can be sizable and multi-year, and the "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials, but they are not required to do so. The opportunity sits within NIH activity areas spanning education and health, and it is associated with multiple CFDA listings (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399), reflecting NCI programs that support cancer research, prevention, and related training or infrastructure.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible, signaling an intent to attract proposals from many sectors and to support research that may need strong community ties or international field sites. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants 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-U.S. (foreign) organizations. This breadth is important because KSHV prevalence, transmission dynamics, and the feasibility of studying early infection can vary widely by geography and community context, and meaningful prevention research often depends on trusted partnerships and access to affected populations.

In terms of practical award details included in the source data, the FOA was created on September 23, 2020, and listed an original closing date of December 14, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, indicating the program expected budgets at or below that level per award (as stated in the summary data), and the funding instrument is a grant. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided excerpt, but the overall structure is designed to fund research projects capable of producing actionable insights into transmission routes, early infection biology, and modifiable risk factors, with the longer-term goal of informing interventions that prevent KSHV infection and downstream KSHV-associated cancers and lymphoproliferative diseases, especially in HIV-affected and HIV-vulnerable populations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Investigation of the Transmission of Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-12-14. (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 $500,000.00 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 CA 20 046

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