Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 28 024
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria - a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-28-024) is aimed at pushing forward the research and preclinical development of new malaria vaccines that are substantially more effective and longer lasting than current options. The central idea is to take advantage of major recent advances in vaccine science, especially structure-based immunogen design, improved vaccine formulations, and approaches that combine multiple vaccine components (combination vaccines). While malaria is the immediate target, the program is also framed as a broader model for mosquito-borne diseases, meaning successful strategies and platforms could help inform or translate to vaccines for other vector-borne threats.
This NOFO uses the NIH R61/R33 mechanism, which is typically a phased, milestone-driven approach. In practical terms, it supports early, high-impact development work where projects can begin in an initial phase focused on demonstrating feasibility and hitting defined go/no-go milestones (R61), with the possibility of transitioning into a second phase for expanded development activities (R33) if progress is strong. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so the supported work is intended to stay in the research and preclinical space rather than moving into human clinical testing under this award. Applicants should therefore expect that the scope will concentrate on activities like rational antigen design, optimization of immune responses, formulation improvements, evaluation in relevant preclinical models, and other preparatory steps that strengthen the evidence base for future clinical development, but without conducting clinical trials as part of this specific grant.
A major emphasis is the pursuit of highly efficacious and durable protection. The NIH frames this not only as a global health priority, but also as something that supports U.S. public health security, reflecting the reality that vector-borne diseases can expand their geographic reach and that strong countermeasures have broader preparedness value. The mention of combination vaccines and improved formulations signals interest in approaches that can broaden protection, enhance the magnitude and quality of immune responses, and improve how long protection lasts, including strategies that may address the complexity of the malaria parasite and the limitations of earlier vaccine designs.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. domestic applicants and organizations, such as state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); independent school districts; special district governments; public housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and organizations. Importantly, the NOFO also states that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible to apply, that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and that foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. This makes the opportunity accessible to a genuinely international set of applicants and collaborations, with the caveat that applicants need to structure any international collaboration in a compliant way.
A key compliance point in the notice is NIH policy on foreign subawards and subcontracts. NIH indicates it will no longer issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts unless the application is submitted to a NOFO specifically designated for funded international collaborations. For this particular NOFO, applications that include foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding. At the same time, the policy language clarifies that this does not forbid all international engagement. Unfunded international collaborations may still be possible, foreign components (as NIH defines them) may be allowable, foreign consultants can be paid, and applicants may procure unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors. The practical takeaway is that international participation must be designed carefully: applicants can involve foreign entities in certain ways, but cannot route NIH funds to foreign institutions via subaward/subcontract under this NOFO.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary grant within the health funding activity category, listed under CFDA 93.855, and is issued by the National Institutes of Health. The original closing date shown is February 11, 2027, and the opportunity record lists a creation date of October 13, 2026. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text for budget limits, project period details, milestone expectations, and review considerations.
Overall, this NOFO is geared toward teams that can deliver strong, milestone-driven vaccine R&D and preclinical packages for next-generation malaria vaccine concepts, particularly those leveraging cutting-edge antigen design and formulation science. The program is positioned both as a way to meaningfully improve malaria prevention and as a platform for broader innovation that could carry over to other mosquito-borne disease vaccines, provided applicants remain within the non-clinical-trial scope and comply with NIH rules on foreign subawards and subcontracting.Apply for RFA AI 28 024
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria - a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (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 2026-10-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-02-11.
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria - a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (NOFO number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-AI-28-024.
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The goal is to accelerate research and preclinical development of next-generation malaria vaccines that are substantially more effective and longer lasting than current options.
Why does the NOFO mention malaria as a model for mosquito-borne diseases?
While malaria is the immediate target, the program is framed as a broader model for mosquito-borne diseases. Approaches, platforms, and lessons learned from successful malaria vaccine R&D could help inform or translate to vaccines for other vector-borne threats.
What NIH grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This NOFO uses the NIH R61/R33 mechanism, which is a phased, milestone-driven approach.
How does the R61/R33 phased approach work in practice?
Projects generally begin in an initial feasibility and early development phase (R61) with defined go/no-go milestones. If progress is strong and milestones are met, the project may transition into a second phase (R33) for expanded development activities.
Are clinical trials allowed under this NOFO?
No. The NOFO is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the supported work must remain in the research and preclinical space and cannot include human clinical testing under this award.
What types of activities are in-scope since clinical trials are not allowed?
Based on the description provided, the scope is intended to focus on research and preclinical development activities such as rational antigen design, optimization of immune responses, formulation improvements, evaluation in relevant preclinical models, and other preparatory steps that strengthen the evidence base for future clinical development, without conducting clinical trials.
What scientific advances does NIH emphasize for this program?
The NOFO highlights leveraging major recent advances in vaccine science, including structure-based immunogen design, improved vaccine formulations, and approaches that combine multiple vaccine components (combination vaccines).
What is the emphasis on "highly efficacious and durable protection" referring to?
The NOFO places major emphasis on achieving vaccine protection that is both highly effective (efficacious) and long lasting (durable), reflecting the limitations of earlier vaccine designs and the complexity of the malaria parasite.
Why does the NOFO connect malaria vaccine development to U.S. public health security?
The description frames improved malaria vaccine countermeasures as not only a global health priority, but also relevant to U.S. public health security because vector-borne diseases can expand their geographic reach and preparedness benefits can be broader than a single disease or region.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. domestic applicant types and organizations, including state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); independent school districts; special district governments; public housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and organizations.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply directly?
Yes. The NOFO states that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible to apply.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations allowed to participate?
Yes. The NOFO states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible.
Are "foreign components" allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. The NOFO indicates that foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed.
Can an application include foreign subawards or foreign subcontracts?
No. NIH policy as described states that applications to this NOFO that include foreign subawards/subcontracts will be considered noncompliant and will not be reviewed for funding.
What happens if an application includes a foreign subaward/subcontract anyway?
Based on the provided policy language, the application would be considered noncompliant and would not be reviewed for funding under this NOFO.
Does the restriction on foreign subawards/subcontracts mean international collaboration is prohibited?
No. The policy language described clarifies that it does not forbid all international engagement. Unfunded international collaborations may still be possible, foreign components may be allowable (as NIH defines them), foreign consultants can be paid, and unique equipment or supplies can be procured from foreign vendors.
Can foreign consultants be paid with grant funds?
Yes. The description specifically notes that foreign consultants can be paid.
Can applicants purchase equipment or supplies from foreign vendors?
Yes. The description notes that applicants may procure unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.
What is the key takeaway on designing international participation for this NOFO?
International participation must be structured carefully. While certain forms of international engagement may be allowed (such as foreign components, consultants, and foreign vendor procurement), applicants cannot route NIH funds to foreign institutions via subaward/subcontract under this NOFO.
What funding activity category is this opportunity listed under?
It is listed as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.855.
Which agency is issuing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the closing date for this opportunity (as listed in the provided information)?
The original closing date shown is February 11, 2027.
What is the opportunity record creation date (as listed in the provided information)?
The opportunity record lists a creation date of October 13, 2026.
Does the provided excerpt specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO text for budget limits, project period details, milestone expectations, and review considerations.
What kind of teams or projects is this NOFO designed to support?
It is geared toward teams that can deliver strong, milestone-driven vaccine research and development and preclinical packages for next-generation malaria vaccine concepts, particularly those leveraging cutting-edge antigen design, formulation science, and combination vaccine approaches, while staying within the non-clinical-trial scope and complying with NIH rules on foreign subawards and subcontracting.
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