Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AI 21 050

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 21 050

The Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern funding opportunity (RFA AI 21 050) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement program designed to build multidisciplinary research Centers that can rapidly discover and advance antiviral drugs aimed at pathogens with serious pandemic risk. Led through NIAID under CFDA 93.855, the program is centered on coronaviruses (CoVs) and a set of other RNA viruses considered to have pandemic potential. The overall intent is not just to produce single-virus, single-product candidates, but to create a durable capability that can deliver antiviral solutions faster and more efficiently when new threats emerge.

A key theme of the announcement is breadth and preparedness. NIAID is explicitly encouraging the development of antivirals that work across multiple viruses (for example, drugs that could retain activity against a range of coronaviruses rather than only one strain), along with technologies that can be applied broadly to improve entire classes of antivirals. In practical terms, this points to Centers that combine expertise in areas like virology, medicinal chemistry, structural biology, computational methods, assay development, pharmacology, and translational sciences so that discovery can move from target identification and screening into lead optimization and preclinical development in a coordinated way. The emphasis on platforms that reduce time and cost signals an interest in repeatable, scalable approaches such as standardized screening cascades, robust antiviral testing systems, and workflow automation or data-driven design strategies that can be reused as new viruses appear.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U19), which generally means the work is expected to be highly collaborative and coordinated with NIH program staff, with substantial NIH involvement compared to a typical research grant. This structure is commonly used when an agency wants to assemble teams, align methods, share data and resources, and keep progress moving toward defined program goals. The funding opportunity is also clearly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning supported activities should remain in the preclinical or non-clinical space rather than initiating clinical trials under this specific award. The Centers are therefore expected to focus on discovery, optimization, and development-enabling work that strengthens the antiviral pipeline without crossing into human clinical testing as part of the funded project.

Eligibility is broad and inclusive, spanning government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and larger for-profit entities other than small businesses). It also includes federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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, regional organizations, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, this signals an intent to draw from a wide talent base and to support partnerships that can bring specialized capabilities, unique patient-agnostic research resources, or regional expertise into the antiviral discovery ecosystem.

The opportunity was posted with a creation date of July 9, 2021, and an original closing date of October 22, 2021. While an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, the overall design strongly indicates an investment in Center-scale programs rather than small, isolated projects, with the goal of establishing sustained infrastructure and coordinated teams that can respond to current and future pandemic threats. In short, AViDD is aimed at building a network of Centers that can continuously generate and advance antiviral candidates and the underlying technologies needed to shorten timelines and improve readiness for the next viral emergency.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern (U19 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 2021-07-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-22. (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.

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