Accelerating Research and Development of Next Generation Vaccines against Malaria - a Model for Mosquito-Borne Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Sponsor: NIH
Internal Deadline: 11/25/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 1
Program Website

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) uses a R61/R33 Exploratory/Developmental Phased Award activity code to support discovery, proof-of concept, and/or preclinical development activities that are exploratory and developmental in nature, and to enable and accelerate the generation of highly efficacious malaria vaccines directed principally against two major human parasites, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. The NOFO seeks product candidates or concepts that are highly effective in preventing infection, reducing disease burden, and/or blocking transmission of malaria and potentially other mosquito-borne diseases.

Specific Areas of Research Interest

The initiative will support activities that include, but are not limited to, the following topics: 

For discovery and proof of concept for vaccine candidate features:

• Design and/or construction of novel vaccine concepts utilizing improved immunogen design or new antigen(s), formulation, novel innovative or modern technology platforms [e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI)-guided vaccine design] intended to lead to significant prevention of infection, reduction of disease, or blocking of transmission.


• Exploration of combination vaccine concepts:




• Combination of different vaccine platforms to elicit a broader range of protective immune responses,


• Combination of multiple protein subunit immunogens to target one or more functional biological pathways,


• Multi-stage vaccines targeting different life cycle stages of the parasites, for example, pre-erythrocytic, blood, and/or sexual stages of the parasite,


• Vaccine concepts that target mosquito vector products (e.g., salivary gland proteins) or processes that may help to reduce pathogen infection, transmission or disease.




• Demonstration of favorable vaccine features by confirming immunogenicity and efficacy of candidates using new approach methodologies (NAMs) or appropriate animal models [Note: for this NOFO, efficacy is defined as prevention of infection, disease, or relapse (e.g., for P. vivax)]. Examples of NAMs include novel functional assays, model systems, in vitro or ex vivo culture systems, or computational and AI-based approaches.

For preclinical development:

• Critical assay and process development,


• Formulation improvement,


• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) pilot lot production and release,


• Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling activities,


• Regulatory support required for initiation of Phase I trial (clinical protocol development or implementation of clinical trial excluded).

Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

• Cover page with grant program name & number (if applicable) to which you are applying, your project title, PI (name, department/unit, & email), and list of co-PIs/key collaborators (name & department/unit)
• a two-page project abstract addressing key components/criteria for this specific grant program
• a 2-3 page CV/biosketch for the PI (SCiENcv preferred)