Impact of Initial Influenza Exposure on Immunity in Infants

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a key agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is forecasting a funding opportunity titled “Impact of Initial Influenza Exposure on Immunity in Infants.” The purpose of this funding initiative is to deepen understanding of how early exposure to influenza antigens—whether from natural infections or vaccinations—shapes the development of immunity in infants and young children. With a focus on longitudinal studies of infants and mother-infant dyads, the research seeks to clarify the lasting effects of early influenza encounters, including those occurring in utero. The primary objective of the grant is to establish and monitor cohorts of infants to study the immunological consequences of first exposure to influenza. The research supported under this opportunity will investigate how these early exposures affect immune responses to future influenza infections and vaccines. When applicable, inclusion of mother-infant dyads will allow for the study of maternal influenza immune status and its influence on neonatal immune development. The long-term aim of these studies is to inform the development of influenza vaccines that offer durable and broad protection across populations. This grant opportunity will be issued as a cooperative agreement, highlighting the active role of NIAID in overseeing and collaborating on the selected projects. The estimated total program funding is $10,000,000, with three awards expected to be made. The opportunity falls under the Assistance Listing 93.855, which pertains to Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research. Importantly, there is no cost sharing or matching requirement for applicants, and the spending scope focuses exclusively on health-related research activities aligned with the outlined objectives. The eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and includes a wide range of entities such as state governments, county governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, public and Indian housing authorities, and both federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribal organizations and governments. This diverse eligibility reflects NIAID’s aim to encourage collaborative, multidisciplinary research efforts across institutional and organizational types. The grant is currently in forecast status, with an estimated post date of December 12, 2025. The anticipated application due date is February 11, 2026, and awards are expected to be announced on December 1, 2026, which is also the expected project start date. Since the opportunity is not currently open, its status is considered "Forecasted," and its stage is "Early Engagement." The funding will apply to Fiscal Year 2027, and there is no indication at this time of whether the grant will recur in future cycles. Interested applicants may contact Michelle M. Arnold, Ph.D., at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. She can be reached by phone at 301-761-7324 or by email at michelle.arnold@nih.gov. This advance notice provides potential applicants with ample time to prepare proposals, build partnerships, and align project goals with NIAID’s mission to promote health through research into the causes and treatment of infectious diseases.