(CLOSED) Pennsylvania Department of Health CURE Non-Formula 2020 - The COVID-19 Pandemic in Pennsylvania (NOI Mandatory)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is expected to release a request for proposals to fund collaborative research projects that are consistent with the research priority of The COVID-19 Pandemic in Pennsylvania. Due to the short turnaround time expected between release of the RFP and the submission deadline for the full proposal, the Office of Limited Submissions is running this MANDATORY Notice of Intent. If a downselect is necessary those who have submitted their NOI will be notified and will need to provide the internal application materials listed below in a downselect competition due 5-7 days after the final RFP is published (expected early October).

Typically these awards do not exceed $4 million and at least 50 percent of the funds must be spent on clinical research or health services research or both clinical research and health services research; biomedical research may also contribute to the focus.

Research related to this RFP may include but is not limited to:

• Research related to improving the fundamental knowledge of the genetic COVID-19 and associated viruses, like SARS-CoV-2.
• Research focused on understanding the impact of host genetics may include studies of susceptibility to COVID-19, ability to modulate the effects of COVID-19 due to specific genetically based immune responses, and genetic disposition to disease treatment and long-term effects.
• Research related to the population, behavioral, and mental health impacts of COVID-19
• Research related to vaccine development and testing to support public health through immunization

Research focused on the identification and/or development of a vaccine that improves immunization against COVID-19 is a high priority for advancing public health in Pennsylvania. Vaccine availability is the primary long-term objective for managing the current and future outbreaks of COVID-19. This includes research to promote the development of new vaccine research, including basic immunology research, examining the interactions between pathogens and human hosts, and generating knowledge needed for the development of safe vaccines in the treatment of COVID-19. Research may also focus on the technology platform being evaluated as a component of vaccine development. Research may also include a focus on the applicability of existing vaccines, including but not limited to the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination to protect against the impacts of COVID-19 and its ancillary effects.

Collaborations with organizations already focused on the COVID-19 are strongly encouraged. The research should hold the potential for addressing the health needs of underserved segments of the population, including rural, racial/ethnic minorities, older adults, and/or other high-risk constituencies in the Commonwealth. To foster cross-institutional research among organizations across the Commonwealth, an applicant must conduct research in collaboration with other research institutions and organizations. Collaboration between academic institutions, health care systems, health care insurers, public health agencies, and/or business is encouraged. To the extent possible, organizations that are not academic medical centers, such as smaller colleges and universities and local public health agencies, should be included in addition to major research institutions. Collaboration with a minority-serving academic institution or a minority-serving community-based organization in Pennsylvania is strongly encouraged and should include the mentoring and training of students. All research collaborators must play a substantive and meaningful role in multiple aspects of the proposed research. Research proposals must include clear objectives and targeted outcomes. No more than 50% of the funds may be used for research infrastructure as defined in the Act, as amended (e.g., equipment, supplies, nonprofessional personnel, and laboratory or building construction or renovation).