Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers

The National Institutes of Health, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting a funding opportunity titled Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers. This program is administered through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and represents a continuation of a long-standing federal effort to support coordinated research into asthma and allergic conditions. The initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement, reflecting a collaborative relationship between the federal agency and funded institutions, and is designed to support multi-center and multidisciplinary research networks. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance scientific understanding of asthma and a broad range of allergic diseases, including upper airway inflammatory conditions, food and drug allergies, and atopic dermatitis. The program emphasizes both clinical and basic research, with a strong translational component that connects laboratory discoveries to patient-centered outcomes. Research supported under this program may focus on disease onset, progression, treatment mechanisms, and variability in treatment response, with particular interest in studies involving human subjects or human-derived materials. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support collaborative research centers that conduct small clinical trials, observational studies, and mechanistic investigations. Projects may explore immune pathways or evaluate therapeutic interventions, and they are expected to contribute to a broader understanding of allergic disease processes. The cooperative agreement mechanism allows for substantial involvement from the funding agency in guiding research priorities and ensuring alignment with national health objectives. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement specified for this opportunity. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and includes a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations regardless of tax status, for-profit entities including small businesses, and other eligible entities such as faith-based and community-based organizations. Federal agencies and U.S. territories are also identified as eligible participants, indicating a highly inclusive approach to applicant eligibility. The application process is expected to follow standard NIH submission procedures, although specific application components and requirements will be detailed upon official release of the funding opportunity announcement. Applicants will likely be required to submit detailed research plans, budgets, and supporting documentation through federal grant submission systems. The estimated posting date for the full opportunity is January 5, 2027, with applications due by May 21, 2027. Awards are anticipated to be made by March 1, 2028, with project start dates aligned to the same date. Evaluation of applications will be conducted according to NIH peer review standards, focusing on scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and potential impact on public health. The program is expected to continue as a recurring initiative aligned with NIH funding cycles, although recurrence is not explicitly stated. For further information, applicants are directed to contact the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation via the provided program email address. This opportunity represents a significant federal investment in advancing research and improving outcomes for individuals affected by asthma and allergic diseases.