Emergency Awards: SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 20 038

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 038

The NIH National Cancer Institute released this emergency cooperative agreement opportunity (RFA-CA-20-038) to rapidly stand up SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence under the U54 mechanism, with clinical trials allowed but not required (Clinical Trial Optional). The funding came through the COVID-19 supplemental appropriations in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139), which specifically directed NCI to help develop, validate, improve, and implement serology testing and related technologies. In practical terms, this FOA was meant to build well-resourced, multi-component centers that could move fast, generate reliable serology science, and coordinate closely with NIH and other network partners rather than operate as isolated, stand-alone projects.

The core goal of the Centers is to advance research that explains what immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 look like and what they mean. That includes characterizing immune responses after infection, digging into the mechanisms behind serological (antibody-based), humoral, and cellular immunity, and identifying why people vary in response. The FOA highlights studying host, genetic, and environmental factors that modify immune responses, as well as defining serological correlates tied to disease course (pathogenesis) and protection from future infection. Beyond the bench science, the announcement also emphasizes real-world implementation issues: understanding barriers to access, communication, and adoption of serological testing, which matters for public health impact and equitable use of testing technologies.

These U54 Centers were designed to function as part of a larger coordinated program called the Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet). SeroNet was not just a set of independent grants; it was a structured network expected to share data, results, specimens, assays, and reagents across sites to accelerate progress and improve standardization. Alongside the U54 Centers, the network included separate Serological Sciences Research Projects funded under a companion U01 FOA (RFA-CA-20-039), plus centralized and enabling infrastructure such as the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR) Serology Laboratory, Serological Capacity Building Centers (CBCs), and a Serological Sciences Network Coordinating Center (SSNCC). The coordinating and some management functions were to be handled through FNLCR, which operates as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, and the network could also be expanded through SBIR awards and other serology-related grants and contracts tied to SARS-CoV-2.

Because this was a cooperative agreement, awardees would generally expect substantial NIH involvement compared with a typical research grant, including active coordination, shared milestones, and network-level expectations around collaboration and dissemination. The U54 structure also signals that applications were expected to be multi-component center proposals rather than single, narrow projects, with the intention that each Center would contribute capabilities and leadership to the broader network mission.

Eligibility was broad across public and private sectors, including state, county, and local governments; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)) outside of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly called out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it limited foreign participation: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations/institutions) and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations were not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, though foreign components as defined by NIH policy were allowed, meaning certain project elements could be performed abroad if justified and compliant with NIH rules.

Key administrative details in the source information include the agency (National Institutes of Health), the funding instrument (cooperative agreement), and the activity areas (education and health). The CFDA numbers listed were 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.855. The original application closing date was July 22, 2020, reflecting the emergency, time-sensitive nature of the program. The award ceiling and expected number of awards were not specified in the provided data, but the intent was clearly to launch a functional, collaborative national serology network quickly and at scale.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence (U54 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-22. (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.

Apply for RFA CA 20 038

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