Collaborative Network for Clinical Research on Immune Tolerance

The Collaborative Network for Clinical Research on Immune Tolerance is a federal funding opportunity forecasted by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This initiative reflects NIAID’s long-standing mission to support research that advances understanding of immune system function and improves interventions for immune-mediated diseases. The program builds on prior investments in collaborative research networks by supporting a coordinated, multi-institutional approach to studying immune tolerance in humans, with a focus on translational and clinical research. The primary purpose of this program is to enhance scientific understanding of the mechanisms that govern the induction, maintenance, and breakdown of immune tolerance in human populations. The initiative is designed to support research that can lead to improved therapeutic strategies for preventing and treating diseases in which the immune system plays a central role. These include transplant rejection, autoimmune disorders, asthma, and allergic diseases. The program emphasizes a systems-level understanding of immune responses and seeks to bridge laboratory research with clinical application. Funding will support a collaborative research network operating under a cooperative agreement structure, indicating substantial involvement from the funding agency in project oversight and coordination. The program is expected to fund one award with a total estimated program funding amount of approximately $21,986,000. While specific allowable costs and restrictions are not detailed in the forecast, the scope clearly includes clinical trials, mechanistic studies integrated into those trials, and the development and validation of immune monitoring assays. These activities suggest support for personnel, clinical operations, laboratory testing, and data coordination infrastructure typical of large-scale clinical research networks. Eligible applicants for this opportunity are broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of organizational types. These include nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (both public and private), small and large businesses, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, and other entities such as independent school districts and public housing authorities. Additional eligibility extends to federal agencies, U.S. territories, regional organizations, faith-based entities, and non-domestic institutions, indicating a globally inclusive approach to participation in this research network. The application process has not yet opened, as this is a forecasted opportunity. The estimated posting date is October 16, 2026, with an anticipated application due date of January 29, 2027. Applicants will likely be required to submit proposals through standard NIH submission systems, though specific submission steps, required components, and evaluation criteria are not yet detailed in the forecast. Based on NIH norms, applications are expected to include detailed research plans, budgets, institutional capabilities, and compliance documentation, and will be evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. The anticipated award date and project start date are both estimated as February 1, 2028, indicating a significant review and selection period following submission. The cooperative agreement mechanism suggests ongoing collaboration between awardees and NIH program staff throughout the project lifecycle. For additional information or inquiries, applicants are directed to contact the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation via the provided email address. As a forecasted opportunity, further details including full solicitation documents and application instructions are expected to be released closer to the estimated posting date.