The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has forecasted the Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials Network (IDCTN) opportunity. This initiative is designed to support a cooperative clinical trials network aimed at evaluating interventions for infectious diseases, including both emerging and chronic conditions. The network will enable rapid deployment of studies and trials in alignment with the public health priorities of NIAID and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), overcoming the delays often associated with unsolicited grant applications.
The IDCTN consists of Clinical Trial Evaluation Units (CTEUs), which provide clinical infrastructure, and a Network Coordination Center (NCC), responsible for organizing and administrating the network. The NCC collaborates with NIAID and CTEU leadership to solicit innovative research concepts, engage with field experts, and mentor upcoming clinical researchers. This model ensures agility and capacity for responsive public health research.
The initiative is authorized under the Public Health Service Act and federal regulations, indicating a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. The program anticipates approximately $29 million in total program funding but does not specify a per-award ceiling or floor. The forecasted award and project start dates are March 1, 2027, with an application due date estimated for June 11, 2026.
Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of public and private institutions such as state, county, and local governments; nonprofit and for-profit organizations; educational institutions; tribal entities; and housing authorities. Additional eligible entities include faith-based and community-based organizations, U.S. territories, federal agencies, and regional organizations. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified.
Submission will be through Grants.gov, and application packages and detailed requirements are expected to be posted by March 13, 2026. The opportunity is not currently accepting applications and is in a forecasted stage, suggesting applicants should monitor updates closely. Contact for the opportunity is Marina S. Lee, Ph.D., reachable at dmidclinicaltrials@niaid.nih.gov or 240-627-3304.
