Repurposing Target-Based Pharmaceutical Libraries for Discovery of Therapeutics against Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33) | RFA AI 17 036

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AI 17 036

Repurposing Target-Based Pharmaceutical Libraries for Discovery of Therapeutics against Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-17-036; CFDA 93.855) focused on accelerating drug discovery for diseases caused by eukaryotic pathogens by taking advantage of existing, target-based pharmaceutical compound libraries. The central idea is to screen curated collections of compounds that were originally built around defined biological targets (often from prior drug discovery programs) and repurpose promising molecules as candidate therapeutics against selected eukaryotic pathogens. The FOA supports a pipeline that starts with screening and hit identification and then moves into follow-on preclinical development work to advance the most promising candidates toward readiness for later-stage testing.

The funding mechanism is structured as an R21/R33 phased award, which is commonly used when a project has an early, exploratory component that must meet clear milestones before transitioning into a more advanced development phase. In this context, the R21 phase typically aligns with the discovery-style work such as assay development or optimization, screening target-based libraries, confirming and prioritizing hits, and generating early evidence that a compound has activity against the pathogen or a relevant target. The subsequent R33 phase is intended for the more development-oriented activities that build on successful R21 outcomes, such as deeper profiling of lead candidates, additional preclinical studies, and other steps needed to strengthen a candidate therapeutic package. The overall emphasis is on moving beyond purely basic research by pairing identification of active compounds with the kinds of preclinical efforts that make a candidate more realistic for downstream development.

NIH listed a wide range of eligible applicants, reflecting an intent to encourage participation across academia, government, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations and tribal governments that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those specific categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other unspecified entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIS institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities. This broad eligibility suggests NIH was aiming to tap specialized capabilities wherever they exist, including screening infrastructure, medicinal chemistry, parasitology, and translational development expertise.

Administratively, the opportunity is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) within the health activity category. NIH posted it on September 12, 2017, with an original closing date of January 12, 2018. While the source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the FOA description makes the programmatic intent clear: support projects that can identify and advance therapeutic candidates by leveraging target-based pharmaceutical libraries and conducting the preclinical work needed to position those candidates for later development.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Repurposing Target-Based Pharmaceutical Libraries for Discovery of Therapeutics against Eukaryotic Pathogens (R21/R33)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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