COVID-19 Funding Opportunities

• Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care. The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality has forecast a forthcoming funding opportunity to support phased exploratory and developmental research projects that test promising digital healthcare interventions intended to improve quality at the point of care. Funding opportunity announcement expected July 2020.

• BARDA CoronaWatch/TechWatch. To enable a rapid-response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has repurposed the TechWatch program to focus on COVID-19 medical countermeasures. These CoronaWatch submissions and meetings aim to give innovators a government-wide platform to discuss ideas with U.S. government experts, and seek partnership opportunities with a wide range of potential federal partners.

• BARDA Easy Broad Agency Announcement (EZ-BAA) for 2019-nCoV. BARDA will review concise abstract submissions for development funding of 2019-nCoV molecular diagnostics.

• BARDA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Now only accepting proposals related to COVID-19.

• Army Application Laboratory (AAL) is seeking information on innovative medical equipment, therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines. To begin the process of submitting a proposal, AAL invites innovators to schedule a call.

• COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) Request for Information. The JATF is collecting information from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more to aid in COVID-19 response, and the information gathered will inform funding decisions.

• DARPA Biological Technologies Office BAA. DARPA BTO has requested COVID-19 related submissions for this ongoing Broad Agency Announcement.

• USAMRMC FY18-FY22 Broad Agency Announcement for Extramural Medical Research. The United States Army Medical and Materiel Command’s (USAMRMC) seeks to provide solutions to medical problems of importance to the service members at home and abroad as well as to the general public at large. Ongoing.

• DOE COVID-19 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL). Provides information on how to access DOE facilities and capabilities for COVID-19 research.

• Emerging Needs: COVID-19 Response and Future Mitigation. DHS seeks proposals for solutions to address near-term and ongoing challenges to DHS operations due to the current pandemic. Applications accepted and reviewed continuously until September 30, 2020.

• AfrIdea: A Regional Idea-a-thon for Post-COVID Progress. The Department of State Bureau of African Affairs announces an open competition for organizations to conduct a regional Idea-a-thon for digital solutions to 1) address economic, health, and education sector challenges and 2) promote women’s leadership in peace and security post COVID-19. Applications are due August 23, 2020.

• COVID-19 Private Sector Engagement & Partnership Fund. The Department of State (DOS) and USAID seek proposals for projects that will help societies prepare for, mitigate and address second order economic, security, stabilization impacts of COVID-19 and prevent development backsliding. The DOS definition of the private sector includes nonprofits, universities, and other institutions of learning. Concept papers accepted continuously until May 28, 2021.

• NASA Announcement: Making Innovative Use of NASA Satellite Data to Address Environmental, Economic, and/or Societal Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. NASA's Earth Science Division calls the attention of the Earth Science communities to Program Element A.28 "Rapid Response and Novel Research in Earth Science" (RRNES) of Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2020 as an opportunity to propose investigations making innovative use of NASA satellite data to address regional-to-global environmental, economic, and/or societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• COVID-19's Broadscale Impact on the Lives of People with Disabilities. The National Council on Disability (NCD) seeks proposals for a cooperative agreement to develop NCD’s annual progress report which will examine COVID-19’s broadscale impacts on the lives of people with disabilities. Applications due August 21, 2020.

• COVID 19 – Operational Challenges for Corrections. The National Institute of Corrections seeks applicants to create a lessons learned report for COVID-19 in corrections facilities and to plan and facilitate an associated National Forum. Applications are due August 27, 2020.

The NIH has received nearly $2 billion in emergency funding for COVID-19 related activities, and currently has over 25 new announcements of funding opportunities. The vast majority of these announcements are open only to in vestigators with active NIH awards. We list below only the opportunities open to new proposals, and the full list of announcements is available at NIH’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients of NIH Funding website.

• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Repurposing Existing Therapeutics to Address the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease Notice of Special Interest (NOSI). Various deadlines through 2020.

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Emergency Awards: Rapid Investigation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). This FOA is to provide an expedited funding mechanism for research on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Ongoing.

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Emergency Awards: Rapid Investigation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). This FOA is to provide an expedited funding mechanism for research on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Ongoing.

• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Fast-Track Program for COVID-19 Test Development and Distribution is urgently soliciting proposals and can provide up to $500M across multiple projects to rapidly produce innovative SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests that will assist the public’s safe return to normal activities. Ongoing.

• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NIEHS Support for Understanding the Impact of Environmental Exposures on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). NIEHS seeks to promote rapid understanding of the potential contributions of current and past exposure to environmental agents that may exacerbate COVID-19 susceptibility, disease severity, and progression. Application deadlines throughout 2020 and 2021.

• NIA Multi-site COVID-19 Related Clinical Trial Implementation Grant on Aging-Related Topics in at-risk Older Adult Populations. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites applications for implementing investigator-initiated multi-site clinical trials of interventions focused on specific aging-related issues for reducing transmission, risk, morbidity, mortality, severity, or complications of COVID-19. Multiple application due dates starting July 1, 2020 and continuing to February 1, 2021.

• NIDCD COVID-19 Notice of Special Interest. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) is interested in supporting research on the impact of COVID-19 on mission-specific sensory and communication disorders. Various dates through September 8, 2022.

• NIH Automatic Detection and Tracing of SARS-CoV-2. NIH seeks proposals for projects that will demonstrate proof-of-concept of SARS-CoV-2 detection with high sensitivity and specificity, sensor functionality, and automatic signal transduction and detection by touchscreen or other digital devices. Applications due September 15, 2020.

• NIH Chemosensory Testing as a COVID-19 Screening Tool. NIH solicits applications for projects to enhance the utility of chemosensory testing as a COVID-19 screening tool by using objective tests to examine the onset and prognostic value of chemosensory loss and to encourage the development and/or deployment of home-based and on-site chemosensory tests. Applications due September 15, 2020.

• NIH Digital Healthcare Interventions to Address the Secondary Health Effects Related to Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID-19.
  NIH seeks proposals on the role and impact of digital health interventions to address access, reach, delivery, effectiveness, scalability and sustainability of health assessments and interventions for secondary effects, particularly in populations who experience health disparities and in vulnerable populations. First deadline for submissions is August 20, 2020.

• NIH Director’s Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional). This award supports exceptional junior investigators who wish to pursue independent research. This announcement solicits project proposals that bring new, innovative perspectives and approaches to the prevention of, preparation for, or response to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, domestically or internationally. Any relevant area of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 research is welcome. Applications due September 4, 2020.

• NIH Director’s Emergency Transformative Research Awards (R01 Clinical Trial Optional). This award supports individual scientists or groups of scientists proposing groundbreaking, exceptionally innovative, original, and/or unconventional research related to any area of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Applications due September 30, 2020.

• NIH Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies Towards Multi-Parametric and Integrated Approaches for SARS-CoV-2. NIH seeks proposals for projects that will use technologies developed for single extracellular vesicle, exosome, and extracellular RNA (exRNA) isolation and analysis and reposition them for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Applications due September 18, 2020.

• NIH Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages joint applications from U.S. and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) institutions to create a collaborative training program that will strengthen the LMIC institution capacity to conduct infectious disease research (not including HIV/AIDS). First application deadline is August 14, 2020.

• NIH Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Health Care Systems Serving Health Disparity Populations (R01- Clinical Trial Optional). Multiple divisions of NIH will support investigative and collaborative research focused on understanding the long-term effects of natural and/or human-made disasters on health care systems serving health disparity populations in communities in the U.S. First standard due date is October 5, 2020.

• NIH Multimodal COVID-19 surveillance methods for high risk clustered populations. NIH seeks project proposals that will pursue development and validation studies of COVID-19 surveillance methods, not based or focused on direct viral testing of individuals, in settings and institutions, including residential, with a high density of individuals who are together for prolonged periods of time. Applications due September 30, 2020.

• NIH Screening for COVID-19 by Electronic-Nose Technology (SCENT). NIH seeks applications for a portable sensing device to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs, i.e., scents or odors) emanating from skin or exhaled breath, saliva and different oral tissues from the oral cavity. Applications due September 18, 2020.

• NIH Wastewater Detection of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19). NIH seeks research proposals to address any aspect of wastewater-based testing, including but not limited to: 1) investigation of specific approaches aiming to inform and optimize wastewater sample collection, 2) demonstration and optimization of wastewater sample analysis approaches, 3) development of optimized intervention strategies, and 4) incorporation of computational, statistical, and mathematical models. Applications due September 15, 2020.

• Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Notice of Additional Due Date and Additional “Areas of Focus Especially of Interest” of PAR-19-373 and PAR-19-384, "Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01)". This notice adds additional due dates and additional areas of focus to PAR-19-373 and PAR-19-384. The last due date for applications is March 17, 2021.

• Atmospheric impacts due to changes in anthropogenic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. NOAA invites proposals that take advantage of the unique opportunity to study the atmospheric composition effects of the ongoing pandemic. Applications are due November 30, 2020.

• Call for Proposals in Joint NSF-BSF Programs Dealing with the Coronavirus Disease. NSF and the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) are accepting applications dealing with the Coronavirus Disease in all the active NSF-BSF programs. Ongoing.

• Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID). The EEID program supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and social drivers that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The central theme of submitted projects must be the quantitative or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics. Next submission deadline is November 18, 2020.

• NSF COVID-19 Advanced Cyberinfrastructure DCL. The Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure invites RAPID proposals and supplemental funding requests to existing awards that address COVID-19 challenges through data and/or software infrastructure development activities.

• NSF Dynamics of Integrated Socio-Environmental Systems (DISES). The DISES Program supports research projects that advance basic scientific understanding of integrated socio-environmental systems and the complex interactions within and among the environmental and human components of such a system. Proposals are encouraged that relate to current and emerging NSF-wide activities, which includes COVID-19. Proposals are due November 16, 2020.

• Request for SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposals Addressing COVID-19 DCL. The Division of Innovation and Industrial Partnerships (IIP) invites US-based small businesses to submit Phase I proposals focused on the development and deployment of new technologies, products, processes, and services that address the COVID-19 crisis. Ongoing.

• USDA Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus (SARS-COV-2): Innovating Formal and Non-Formal Educational Experiences. USDA seeks proposals that address the need to develop and deploy rapid, reliable, and readily-adoptable strategies in workforce preparation through formal K-14 education and youth development through non-formal (e.g., extension) education to cultivate interest and competencies in STEM and agriculture during the pandemic. Applications due August 20, 2020.

• Private Foundation List. The University of Minnesota's Corporate & Foundation Relations office has put together a list of current requests for COVID-related proposals from private foundations.

• AWS Diagnostic Development Initiative (DDI). AWS is offering technical support and providing AWS promotional credits to support the use of AWS services to advance diagnostic research for selected institutions and companies. Ongoing.

• Cisco Research Pandemic/COVID-19 Science, Technology and Social Impact. Cisco Systems seeks proposals for collaboration on a number of data science, computational, and technological aspects of pandemic prediction and response. Ongoing.

• COVID-19, Smoking, and Nicotine Research. The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World seeks proposals for research at the nexus of COVID-19, smoking, and nicotine, including pre-clinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies, to better understand the associations between smoking and / or nicotine use, and COVID-19 infection and outcomes. Applications accepted until December 15, 2020.

• COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard, seeks proposals that advance research into accessible coronavirus treatments. Solutions should be suitable for low-resource settings, affordable in low- and middle-income countries and focus on vulnerable populations. Ongoing.

• Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Coronavirus Urgent Response Initiative. DRK is ready to fund and support the people and ideas that are tackling the most acute and time-critical social problems caused by the Covid-19 pandemic right now. DRK is best positioned to help work on the social problems caused by the pandemic versus direct mitigation via medical and scientific efforts. Ongoing.

• EdTech Hub Call for ideas for EdTech responses to coronavirus (COVID-19). The EdTech Hub, mEducation Alliance, and Global Innovation Exchange (GIE) are launching a call for tech-focused ideas to respond to the learning emergency caused by COVID-19 school closures in low- and middle-income countries. Selected applicants will be invited to virtual EdTech Pitch Days with a global network of potential funders. Ongoing.

• Ferring COVID-19 Investigational Grants. Ferring is interested in funding exploratory, basic, and clinical research grants to collect data and expand knowledge about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on reproduction, pregnancy, and foetal/neonatal health. Applications accepted until October 31, 2020.

• Global Innovation Fund, as part of its open call, will accept proposals for COVID-19 response work that has the potential to limit the outbreak and protect life. Ongoing.

• IQT, a Central Intelligence Agency-supported technology venture capital firm, is seeking COVID-19 proposals related to Point of care diagnostics, Swabs for sample collection, Serological diagnostics, and Digital self-triage capabilities for telehealth. Contact SPARC for further info.

• Mercatus Center Emergent Ventures program is offering Fast Grants of $10K to $500K to scientists at academic institutions who are working on a COVID-19 related project. Funding decisions are made in under 48 hours. Ongoing.

• Merck Research Grant for Pandemic Preparedness. Merck will consider proposals that leverage technological solutions to be more prepared for pandemic outbreaks or solutions that could help to fight emerging viral infections for 3-year, €500,000/year awards. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

• Mozilla Open Source Support Program (MOSS) COVID-19 Solutions Fund. MOSS will provide awards of up to $50,000 to open source technology projects (hardware or software) responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing.

• RWJF Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health. The Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (RWJF) seeks proposals that are primed to influence health equity in the future. While the call is not focused on the pandemic, RWJF recognizes the unique circumstances and learning created by the COVID-19 pandemic may inform responses. Proposals accepted throughout the year.

• StartUp Health Call for COVID-19 Innovation. StartUp Health is looking to invest in innovators working on direct or indirect solutions for mitigating, managing, or treating coronavirus or future pandemics.

• Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Just Tech Covid-19 Rapid-Response Grants. SSRC seeks proposals from across the social sciences and related fields that address the risks, opportunities, and challenges posed by public health surveillance stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. Ongoing.

• UK-RAS Network Medical Robotics for Contagious Diseases Challenge 2020. The UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Network announces an international challenge for entries that could offer solutions as part of a multi-faceted response to the COVID-19 and future global pandemics. Deadline for entries is September 30, 2020.

• XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask Challenge. The $1M Next-Gen Mask Challenge aims to reimagine protective face masks used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by making them more comfortable, functional, accessible, and even stylish. Teams must register by September 15, 2020