Elucidation of Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Endovascular Injury and Development of Treatments / Mitigators for Radiation-Induced Endothelial Cell and Vascular Dysfunction (U01) | RFA AI 16 053

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 16 053

This funding opportunity (RFA-AI-16-053) is an NIH/NIAID cooperative agreement (U01) focused on understanding and countering radiation-induced damage to the vascular endothelium, the thin cellular lining of blood vessels that helps regulate blood flow, inflammation, clotting, and barrier function. The FOA sits within the NIAID Radiation/Nuclear Countermeasures Development Program, which supports research ranging from fundamental biology to more applied, product-oriented studies aimed at developing medical countermeasures that could be used after a radiological or nuclear incident. A central motivation is that, while radiation injury has traditionally been discussed in terms of organ-specific damage, growing evidence indicates the endovascular network plays a major role in driving multi-organ dysfunction and failure after exposure. In other words, injury to the vascular system may be a key upstream event that worsens outcomes across the body, and the FOA is designed to fill important knowledge gaps around that process.

The scientific emphasis is twofold. First, the FOA seeks projects that clarify the mechanisms and pathophysiology of radiation-induced endovascular injury, including how endothelial cell and broader vascular dysfunction develops over time, what molecular and cellular pathways are involved, and how this vascular damage contributes to morbidity and mortality following radiation exposure. Second, it aims to accelerate the development of post-exposure treatments or mitigators that specifically target the vascular endothelium to improve survival and reduce downstream organ injury. The program interest is explicitly translational: the longer-term endpoint is to advance promising candidates toward eventual FDA licensure for a radiation/nuclear public health emergency indication. That framing signals that proposals should not only explore biology, but also generate evidence that can support countermeasure development, such as identifying actionable targets, demonstrating efficacy in relevant models, and moving interventions closer to real-world use after exposure.

Mechanistically oriented applications would be expected to address the current gaps in understanding of how radiation perturbs vascular integrity and function, and how those perturbations amplify systemic injury. Treatment-oriented applications would be expected to propose and test interventions delivered after exposure (not only prophylaxis), with an emphasis on endothelial protection, repair, or functional restoration. Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, awardees should anticipate substantial NIH program involvement compared with a standard research grant, typically including collaboration on milestones, coordination, and other hands-on stewardship consistent with cooperative mechanisms.

In terms of eligibility, the FOA is open to a wide range of domestic applicants, including 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; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or elements when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of 2016-11-10 and an award ceiling listed as $350,000. The activity category is Health, the assistance listing numbers are 93.855 and 93.856, and the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. Overall, the opportunity is designed to move the field forward on a specific and increasingly recognized driver of radiation injury, the vasculature, while also pushing the most promising endothelial- and vessel-targeted approaches toward realistic, regulated countermeasures that could be deployed in an emergency setting.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Elucidation of Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Endovascular Injury and Development of Treatments / Mitigators for Radiation-Induced Endothelial Cell and Vascular Dysfunction (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855, 93.856.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-11-10. (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 $350,000.00 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.

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