Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 20 014
Emergency Awards: Automatic Detection and Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH emergency funding opportunity created in direct response to the HHS-declared COVID-19 public health emergency. Issued under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OD-20-014, it sits within the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Radical (RADx-rad) initiative and is designed to move quickly, using an expedited review and award pathway compared with typical NIH timelines. The central purpose is to push forward novel, non-traditional diagnostic concepts that can detect the current SARS-CoV-2 virus or other measurable markers of COVID-19 in ways that could still be useful if future outbreaks occur, and ideally in ways that could be adapted to emerging, currently unknown viral threats.
The scientific and technical focus is narrow and very specific: NIH is looking for early-stage development of an innovative platform that combines aptamer-based biosensing with a touchscreen or other digital device to enable real-time detection and tracing. In practice, this means applicants are expected to propose a system where an aptamer sensor (a binding molecule selected to recognize a viral target or disease-related marker) is integrated into a format that can interface with consumer or dedicated electronics, so that detection is not just biochemical but automatically translated into a readable digital signal. The work is expected to reach proof-of-concept demonstrating (1) high sensitivity and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 detection, (2) a working immobilized sensor (not just a solution-phase assay concept), and (3) automatic signal transduction and readout on a digital device, supporting the idea of rapid, potentially scalable detection and tracing workflows.
Awards are made as a cooperative agreement (U01), which signals substantial NIH involvement during the project rather than a hands-off grant. Projects funded through this FOA are expected to actively coordinate, collaborate, and share data with the RADx-rad Data Coordinating Center (DCC), to the extent allowable. The notice also flags that data sharing and coordination should account for tribal Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes when applicable, reflecting the need to respect governance and oversight requirements when research activities intersect with tribal communities or data.
The opportunity is broadly open in terms of applicant type. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public housing/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as further clarified in the FOA. This wide eligibility aligns with the program goal of quickly surfacing workable technology concepts from academia, industry, and public-sector innovators.
From a funding and program scale standpoint, the award ceiling is listed as $300,000, with an expectation of about 10 awards. The funding source is the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020, reflecting the emergency appropriations that supported rapid COVID-19 diagnostic development. The FOA was created on August 6, 2020, with an original closing date of September 15, 2020. It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity and falls under broad federal activity categories spanning education, health, and social services, with multiple CFDA listings indicating the cross-institute NIH structure supporting the program.
Finally, the “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” designation means applicants should not propose a clinical trial within this mechanism. The emphasis is on technology development and demonstration of proof-of-concept performance and device integration rather than clinical efficacy testing in a trial framework. The overall message of the FOA is straightforward: deliver a credible, early-stage but functional aptamer-to-digital-device detection platform for SARS-CoV-2 that can support real-time detection and tracing, and be prepared to work in a coordinated RADx-rad ecosystem with strong data sharing and collaboration expectations.Apply for RFA OD 20 014
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: Automatic Detection and Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 (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): 93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.310, 93.393, 93.394, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.865, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 06, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 15, 2020. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
It is an NIH emergency funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: Automatic Detection and Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" issued under Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) RFA-OD-20-014. It was created in direct response to the HHS-declared COVID-19 public health emergency.
Which NIH initiative is this part of?
This FOA sits within the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Radical (RADx-rad) initiative, which is focused on moving diagnostic concepts forward quickly using expedited processes.
What is the main goal of the program?
The central purpose is to advance novel, non-traditional diagnostic concepts that can detect SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) or other measurable markers of COVID-19, in ways that could remain useful for future outbreaks and ideally be adaptable to emerging, currently unknown viral threats.
What specific kind of technology is NIH seeking?
NIH is looking for early-stage development of an innovative platform that combines aptamer-based biosensing with a touchscreen or other digital device to enable real-time detection and tracing.
What is meant by "aptamer-based biosensing" in this FOA?
In this context, an aptamer sensor is a binding molecule selected to recognize a viral target (such as SARS-CoV-2) or a disease-related marker. The FOA expects this aptamer-based sensor to be part of a functional sensing platform that can produce a measurable signal tied to detection.
What does "touchscreen or other digital device" imply for the proposed platform?
Applicants are expected to integrate the aptamer sensor into a format that can interface with consumer or dedicated electronics so that detection is automatically translated into a readable digital signal, supporting real-time readout and potential tracing workflows.
What outcomes or milestones is a project expected to reach?
The work is expected to reach proof-of-concept demonstrating: (1) high sensitivity and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 detection, (2) a working immobilized sensor (not just a solution-phase assay concept), and (3) automatic signal transduction and readout on a digital device.
Does the FOA allow a solution-phase assay concept without a built sensor format?
No. The FOA explicitly emphasizes a working immobilized sensor, meaning the project should go beyond a solution-phase assay concept and demonstrate a sensor implemented in a practical, immobilized format.
What does "automatic signal transduction and readout" mean here?
It means the biochemical detection event at the aptamer sensor should be automatically converted into a digital signal that can be read on a touchscreen or other digital device, rather than relying on manual interpretation alone.
Is the program focused on detection only, or detection and tracing?
The FOA frames the goal as "automatic detection and tracing," with a platform design that supports real-time detection and tracing workflows through digital device integration and automated readout.
What type of NIH award mechanism is used?
Awards are made as a cooperative agreement (U01). This mechanism indicates substantial NIH involvement during the project rather than a hands-off grant.
What does "substantial NIH involvement" mean for recipients?
Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, funded projects should expect active coordination with NIH as part of the award, consistent with a cooperative agreement structure.
Are awardees expected to collaborate with other RADx-rad entities?
Yes. Funded projects are expected to actively coordinate, collaborate, and share data with the RADx-rad Data Coordinating Center (DCC), to the extent allowable.
What is the RADx-rad Data Coordinating Center (DCC) role in this FOA?
The FOA indicates that projects should coordinate and share data with the RADx-rad DCC, supporting a coordinated ecosystem for rapid development and evaluation of diagnostic concepts.
Are there any special considerations related to tribal oversight?
Yes. The FOA flags that data sharing and coordination should account for tribal Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes when applicable, reflecting the need to respect governance and oversight requirements when research intersects with tribal communities or data.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public housing/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as further clarified in the FOA.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are explicitly included as eligible applicants, including those other than small businesses.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed among eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included among eligible applicant types.
How much funding is available per award?
The award ceiling is listed as $300,000.
How many awards are expected?
The FOA notes an expectation of about 10 awards.
What is the source of funds for this opportunity?
The funding source is the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act of 2020, reflecting emergency appropriations used to support rapid COVID-19 diagnostic development.
When was the FOA created, and what was the closing date?
The FOA was created on August 6, 2020, with an original closing date of September 15, 2020.
Is this considered a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity.
What broad federal activity categories does this FOA fall under?
The FOA is described as falling under broad federal activity categories spanning education, health, and social services.
Does this opportunity involve multiple NIH programs or listings?
Yes. The description references multiple CFDA listings, indicating cross-institute NIH structure supporting the program.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. The FOA is designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants should not propose a clinical trial within this mechanism.
If clinical trials are not allowed, what kind of work is emphasized instead?
The emphasis is on technology development and proof-of-concept performance, including device integration and automated digital readout, rather than clinical efficacy testing in a trial framework.
What is the expected pace or review approach for this FOA?
It is designed to move quickly, using an expedited review and award pathway compared with typical NIH timelines.
What is the overall expectation for applicants?
Applicants are expected to deliver a credible, early-stage but functional aptamer-to-digital-device detection platform for SARS-CoV-2 that supports real-time detection and tracing, and to be prepared to work within a coordinated RADx-rad environment with strong data sharing and collaboration expectations.
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