This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) on Immunology of Biofilms evolved from two NIDCR sponsored advisory conferences:
Biofilm Network Initiative Meeting (June 2004) and Oral Mucosal Immunology Advisory Meeting (Oct 2004).

It aims to stimulate research on host response to microbial biofilms

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leading to improved strategies for diagnosing, preventing and treating biofilm-associated infectious diseases.

Collaborative projects, both domestic and international, that bring together investigators in diverse scientific disciplines studying biofilms are encouraged.

An aim of this FOA is to link clinical experts, such as dentists, physicians, and nurses, with basic scientists such as immunologists, microbiologists, material scientists, mathematicians to better identify the clinical problems associated with host response to microbial biofilm associated infection.

This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-06-537, that solicits applications under the R01 mechanism.

The total amount to be awarded.

Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

The anticipated number of awards will depend on merit of the application (s) received.

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.

Budget and Project Period:
The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed two years.

Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.

Eligible Organizations:
For profit organizations; non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories; units of State and local governments; eligible agencies of the Federal government; domestic or foreign institutions/organizations; faith-based or community-based organizations; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); and Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization.

Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs):
Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support.

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.