Mucosal Immunology Studies Team (MIST) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), has reissued the Mucosal Immunology Studies Team (MIST) program under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-25-018. The initiative invites applications for cooperative agreements (U01) from eligible organizations to participate in collaborative research focused on understanding immune mechanisms at mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts. This program seeks to advance the field of mucosal immunology by fostering innovative basic and translational research aimed at elucidating cellular, molecular, and systemic processes involved in mucosal immunity. The MIST program promotes groundbreaking studies that leverage new ideas, approaches, and technologies to answer challenging questions in mucosal immunology. It encourages the exploration of how mucosal immune responses are initiated and regulated, with a focus on antigen sampling, IgA production, immune tolerance, inflammation control, and interactions with other systems like the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Importantly, the program excludes clinical trials and projects primarily focused on specific pathogens or vaccines unless these are used to probe basic mucosal immune mechanisms. NIAID expects to commit $3 million in FY 2026, including $750,000 for an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund (IOF), to support 4–5 awards. Applicants may request up to $350,000 in direct costs annually (excluding IOF funds), for a project period not exceeding five years. A single awardee will be selected post-award to manage the IOF, which supports pilot projects, collaborative initiatives, early-stage investigator research, and shared resources such as imaging and animal model cores. Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of U.S. and non-U.S. entities: public and private higher education institutions, non-profits, for-profits including small businesses, tribal organizations, state and local governments, and regional and international organizations. NIH policy now prohibits foreign subawards/subcontracts unless explicitly permitted under designated NOFOs. However, foreign entities may apply directly or participate via other approved mechanisms. Applications will be evaluated for scientific merit based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and the quality of the investigative team and institutional resources. Special emphasis is placed on how proposed research advances the understanding of mucosal immune mechanisms. A Steering Committee composed of project directors and NIH representatives will oversee the program’s collaborative direction and governance. Applications open on September 21, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 21, 2025. Scientific merit review is scheduled for March 2026, followed by council review in May 2026. Awards will begin as early as July 2026. As this is a recurring opportunity reissued every five years, the next expected cycle is projected to begin in September 2026, based on historical cadence. Contact information for submission support and scientific questions is provided, including Dr. Margaret Morris Fears for research-related inquiries and Svetlana Alperovich for financial matters.

Follow NIH application guide precisely, include IOF management plan, budget for Steering Committee meetings, comply with new NIH foreign subaward restrictions