Genetic Tools for Understanding Rickettsial and Related Infections (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 22 047

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 22 047

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Genetic Tools for Understanding Rickettsial and Related Infections (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-22-047; CFDA 93.855) supports research aimed at closing a long-standing technical gap in the study of rickettsial pathogens. These bacteria, which include human-infecting species in the order Rickettsiales such as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Orientia, and Rickettsia, are obligate intracellular organisms. Because they must live and replicate inside host cells and often have reduced genomes, they have been much harder to manipulate genetically than typical extracellular bacteria. As a result, researchers have historically lacked robust, scalable genetic systems for generating mutants and connecting specific genes to specific biological functions in these pathogens.

The main purpose of this grant is to accelerate the development and use of modern genetic tools for rickettsial organisms by funding the generation and functional characterization of mutant libraries. In practical terms, the opportunity is meant to enable the creation of collections of genetically altered strains (for example, mutants spanning many genes across the genome), paired with careful experimental work to determine what those genetic changes do. The expectation is that these mutant resources will not only demonstrate feasibility in a limited way, but will be developed at a scale and level of utility that can broadly power the field. The program also supports applying these newly built tools to answer important questions about rickettsial biology, including how these organisms grow, survive, and cause disease in humans, and how key bacterial functions operate within the constraints of intracellular life.

The announcement uses the NIH R61/R33 phased innovation mechanism, which is designed to move projects from an early, milestone-driven development stage into a second stage focused on expanded implementation and deeper biological discovery. The R61 phase typically supports high-impact, enabling tool development and proof-of-concept work under clear performance goals, while the R33 phase supports further refinement, scaling, and application of those tools once the initial milestones are met. The notice explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the funded work must be preclinical and tool/biology focused rather than testing interventions in human participants.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other eligible entities. The opportunity also calls out additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities and regional organizations.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that NIH is the sponsoring agency, the opportunity category is discretionary, and the activity category is health. The funding opportunity was created on 2022-10-03, with an original closing date of 2023-02-14. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, suggesting applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget structure, project period limits, milestone expectations, review criteria, and any programmatic preferences related to particular rickettsial species, genetic approaches, or resource-sharing plans. Overall, the grant is aimed at building foundational genetic capabilities and shared mutant resources that can unlock faster progress in understanding and ultimately controlling rickettsial diseases.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Genetic Tools for Understanding Rickettsial and Related Infections (R61/R33 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): 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-10-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-14. (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 AI 22 047

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