The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support research that improves understanding of basic mechanisms and biomarkers of trained immunity (i.e., innate immune memory), plus the functional implications of trained immunity, related to 1) immune system development and function, 2) immunity to vaccines or natural infections, or 3) allergic diseases, autoimmunity, or rejection of organ/tissue/cell transplantation. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits research projects that explore fundamental aspects of trained immunity. Such projects must align with NIAID’s mission to advance knowledge of immune system development and function, and better understand, treat, and prevent infectious and immune-mediated (i.e., allergic, autoimmune, cell/tissue/organ transplant rejection) diseases. Areas of high priority include, but are not limited to, the following:

Identification of novel biomarkers associated with trained immunity induced by vaccines, vaccine adjuvants, and/or infectious pathogens
Basic studies of trained immunity in immune-mediated diseases
Elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for innate immune memory
Characterization of the functional implications of trained immunity, including impact on adaptive immune responses and/or disease outcomes
Determination of the duration and/or plasticity of trained immunity effects
Because basic characterizations of trained immunity are currently lacking, descriptive studies seeking to define immune signatures and phenotypes associated with trained immunity are allowed for applications submitted to this funding opportunity. Application budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.