Advancing Novel Research Models to Study Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA HL 20 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 20 007

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity "Advancing Novel Research Models to Study Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (RFA-HL-20-007) supports the creation of a coordinated set of research model systems that can reliably reproduce the key, disease-defining features of human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a progressive, fatal lung disease, and a major bottleneck in the field has been the limited ability of existing models to capture what actually happens in people across the full course of the disease. This program is designed to fill that gap by encouraging multiple, complementary models rather than relying on a single approach, with the goal of better representing IPF biology from earliest onset through progression.

The core purpose of the award is to advance understanding of IPF pathogenesis by developing and refining models that mirror essential aspects of the human condition. In practical terms, that means generating experimental systems that can illuminate mechanisms driving fibrosis initiation, persistence, and worsening over time, and that can be used to test hypotheses about why scarring develops and becomes irreversible. Because the emphasis is on a "collection" of models, the intent is that different platforms can cover different parts of the disease puzzle, such as cellular interactions, tissue remodeling, immune contributions, aging-related processes, genetic susceptibility, and other factors that define IPF. The models supported through this initiative are also intended to be useful beyond the original awardee teams, functioning as a broader resource that other researchers can adopt for mechanistic studies and for preclinical development and evaluation of potential therapies.

This opportunity uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically indicates substantial NIH program involvement compared with a standard research project grant. The activity category is Health, with CFDA number 93.838, and the sponsoring agency is NIH. The funding instrument being a cooperative agreement suggests that funded teams should expect active coordination, milestones, and collaboration consistent with building shared, high-value research resources rather than purely independent investigator-driven projects. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, meaning the supported work should focus on model development and preclinical or foundational research rather than testing interventions in human participants as a formal clinical trial.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other applicant types. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities applying as the primary applicant) are not eligible to apply; however, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means foreign collaborators or parts of the project conducted abroad may be permissible under NIH rules when appropriately justified.

Key administrative details provided in the source include an original closing date of 2019-10-01 and a creation date of 2019-06-04. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, so applicants would normally consult the full NIH funding opportunity announcement and related NIH notices for budget expectations, project period norms, and any caps or limits. Overall, the program is aimed at strengthening the IPF research ecosystem by producing better, more faithful disease models that can accelerate discovery and de-risk therapy development for a disease with high unmet medical need.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Novel Research Models to Study Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.838.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-06-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-10-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 HL 20 007

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