[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 212 (Monday, November 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69335-69336]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24202]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Request for Information (RFI): Inviting Comments and Suggestions 
on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather broad 
public input on the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Wide Strategic 
Plan for COVID-19 Research. Because of the urgency and evolving nature 
of the pandemic, NIH intends this plan to be a living document, which 
will be continually updated to reflect new challenges presented by 
COVID-19. To ensure that it remains in step with public needs, this RFI 
invites stakeholders throughout the scientific research, advocacy, and 
clinical practice communities, as well as the general public to comment 
on the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research. Organizations are 
strongly encouraged to submit a single response that reflects the views 
of their organization and their membership as a whole.

DATES: This RFI is open for public comment for a period of five weeks. 
Comments must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET) on December 7, 2020 to 
ensure consideration.

[[Page 69336]]


ADDRESSES: All comments must be submitted electronically on the 
submission website, available at: https://rfi.grants.nih.gov/?s=5f91a3efdb70000018003362.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all inquiries to: Beth 
Walsh, [email protected], 301-496-4000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Urgent public health measures are needed to 
control the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the 
disease it causes, coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19. Scientific 
research to improve basic understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and 
to develop the necessary tools and approaches to better prevent, 
diagnose, and treat this disease is of paramount importance. The NIH-
Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research (available at: https://www.nih.gov/research-training/medical-research-initiatives/nih-wide-strategic-plan-covid-19-research), released on July 13, 2020, provides 
a framework for achieving this goal. It describes how NIH is rapidly 
mobilizing diverse stakeholders, including the biomedical research 
community, industry, and philanthropic organizations, through new 
programs and existing resources, to lead a swift, coordinated research 
response to this global pandemic.
    The plan outlines how NIH is implementing five Priorities, guided 
by three Crosscutting Strategies:

Priorities

 Priority 1: Improve Fundamental Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.1: Advance fundamental research for SARS-CoV-2 
and COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.2: Support research to develop preclinical models 
of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 1.3: Advance the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 
transmission and COVID-19 dynamics at the population level
    [cir] Objective 1.4: Understand COVID-19 disease progression, 
recovery, and psychosocial and behavioral health consequences
 Priority 2: Advance Detection and Diagnosis of COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 2.1: Support research to develop and validate new 
diagnostic technologies
    [cir] Objective 2.2: Retool existing diagnostics for detection of 
SARS-CoV-2
    [cir] Objective 2.3: Support research to develop and validate 
serological assays
 Priority 3: Advance the Treatment of COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 3.1: Identify and develop new or repurposed 
treatments for SARS-CoV-2
    [cir] Objective 3.2: Evaluate new, repurposed, or existing 
treatments and treatment strategies for COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 3.3: Investigate strategies for access to and 
implementation of COVID-19 treatments
 Priority 4: Improve Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
    [cir] Objective 4.1: Develop novel vaccines for the prevention of 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 4.2: Develop and study other methods to prevent 
SARS-CoV-2 transmission
    [cir] Objective 4.3: Develop effective implementation models for 
preventive measures
 Priority 5: Prevent and Redress Poor COVID-19 Outcomes in 
Health Disparity and Vulnerable Populations
    [cir] Objective 5.1: Understand and address COVID-19 as it relates 
to health disparities and COVID-19--vulnerable populations in the 
United States
    [cir] Objective 5.2: Understand and address COVID-19 maternal 
health and pregnancy outcomes
    [cir] Objective 5.3: Understand and address age-specific factors in 
COVID-19
    [cir] Objective 5.4: Address global health research needs from 
COVID-19

Crosscutting Strategies

 Partnering to promote collaborative science
    [cir] Leverage existing NIH-funded global research networks and 
private sector, public, and non-profit relationships
    [cir] Coordinate with Federal partners
    [cir] Establish new public-private partnerships
 Supporting the research workforce and infrastructure
    [cir] Conduct research to elucidate how COVID-19 impacts the 
scientific workforce
    [cir] Provide research resources
    [cir] Leverage intramural infrastructure to support extramural 
researchers
    [cir] Conduct virtual peer review processes
 Investing in data science
    [cir] Create new data science resources and analytical tools
    [cir] Develop shared metrics and terminologies

    NIH seeks comments on any or all of, but not limited to, the 
following topics:
     Significant research gaps or barriers not identified in 
the existing framework above;
     Resources required or lacking or existing leverageable 
resources (e.g., existing partnerships, collaborations, or 
infrastructure) that could advance the strategic priorities;
     Emerging scientific advances or techniques in basic, 
diagnostic, therapeutic, or vaccine research that may accelerate the 
research priorities detailed in the framework above; and
     Additional ideas for bold, innovative research 
initiatives, processes, or data-driven approaches that could advance 
the response to COVID-19.
    NIH encourages organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, 
professional organizations) to submit a single response reflective of 
the views of the organization or membership as a whole.
    Responses to this RFI are voluntary and may be submitted 
anonymously. Please do not include any personally identifiable 
information or any information that you do not wish to make public. 
Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should 
not be included in your response. The Government will use the 
information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion. The 
Government reserves the right to use any submitted information on 
public websites, in reports, in summaries of the state of the science, 
in any possible resultant solicitation(s), grant(s), or cooperative 
agreement(s), or in the development of future funding opportunity 
announcements. This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only 
and is not a solicitation for applications or an obligation on the part 
of the Government to provide support for any ideas identified in 
response to it. Please note that the Government will not pay for the 
preparation of any information submitted or for use of that 
information.
    We look forward to your input and hope that you will share this RFI 
opportunity with your colleagues.

    Dated: October 27, 2020.
Lawrence A. Tabak,
Principal Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2020-24202 Filed 10-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P