Childhood Asthma in Urban Settings Clinical Research Network

The Childhood Asthma in Urban Settings Clinical Research Network is a forecasted federal funding opportunity issued 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 the agency’s long-standing commitment to advancing biomedical and public health research, particularly in areas where disease burden disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. The CAUSE network builds upon prior investments in asthma research and aims to strengthen collaborative, multi-site clinical research infrastructure focused on pediatric populations living in urban and economically disadvantaged environments. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to support clinical research that improves the prevention and treatment of childhood asthma in high-risk urban populations. The network is expected to conduct multi-site clinical studies and trials that explore innovative hypotheses related to asthma development, progression, and intervention. Emphasis is placed on understanding disease mechanisms, including type 2 low asthma, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Additionally, the initiative seeks to deepen scientific understanding of the relationship between upper and lower airway diseases and to apply systems biology approaches to identify distinct asthma endotypes that may respond to targeted therapies. Funding will be provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from the funding agency in the execution and oversight of the research program. The total estimated program funding is 8,380,000 dollars, though individual award ceilings and floors are not specified in the forecast. Funds are expected to support a range of allowable activities including clinical trials, data collection and analysis, collaborative research coordination, and potentially infrastructure development necessary to support multi-site operations. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, reducing financial barriers for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide array of organizational types. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (both public and private), state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, small businesses, and other for-profit entities. Additional eligible entities include federal agencies, U.S. territories, public housing authorities, independent school districts, and faith-based or community-based organizations. This wide eligibility scope supports interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, which is critical for addressing complex public health challenges such as childhood asthma in urban settings. The application process is expected to follow standard NIH submission procedures, likely requiring registration in federal systems such as Grants.gov and submission of a full research proposal detailing study design, methodology, and anticipated outcomes. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast, applicants can anticipate requirements typical of NIH cooperative agreements, including detailed research plans, budgets, biosketches, and institutional assurances. There is no indication of a required pre-application such as a letter of intent in the forecasted notice. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecasted stage, with an estimated posting date of January 8, 2027, and an application due date of May 28, 2027. Awards are anticipated to be issued by April 1, 2028, with project start dates aligned to the same date. This suggests a structured review and selection process consistent with NIH standards. While recurrence is not explicitly stated, similar NIH research networks are often recompeted periodically, indicating potential future cycles. For additional information or inquiries, applicants are directed to contact the CAUSE Program Group within the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation via email.