Grants

natural resources

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

HAC Rural Housing Seed Fund

Housing Assistance Council

Pre-development loans for rural affordable housing projects

$50K – $300K

2026-12-31

Housingrural development

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

HAC Rural Organization Capacity Grant

capacity buildingrural development

Housing Assistance Council

Capacity building for rural housing and community development organizations

$10K – $50K

2026-08-15

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

HAC Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance

Housingrural developmenttechnical assistance

Housing Assistance Council

Technical assistance for self-help housing programs in rural America

$20K – $100K

2026-09-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

HAF Community Assistance Fellows

National Park Service

This project allows the National Park Service to field young adults in internship experiences that focus on providing technical assistance to a wide swath of the American public for the purpose of expanding outdoor recreation opportunities and resource conservation in communities nationwide. Each intern augments and extends the reach and effectiveness of NPS staff and provides for improved public service along with professional development opportunities for the participants.

$1 – $512K

Education

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Haiti-Building the Capacity of Workers Organizations in the Apparel Sector

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

NOTE: This is a Notice of Intent. There is not an announcement related to this notice. We are not accepting applications at this time. Subject to the availability of funds, USDOL, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, intends to award a cooperative agreement for a technical assistance project to support efforts to build the capacity of workers organizations in the apparel sector in Haiti. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) s Office of Grants Management anticipates publishing the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) before the end of September 2016 (this timing is subject to change). Please refer to: http://www.dol.gov/ilab/grants and http://www.dol.gov/ilab/grants/SGAguidelines.htm for general guidelines and examples of previous cooperative agreement applications. This notice does not include an FOA or any attachments. It only constitutes a notice of USDOL s intent to publish an FOA at a later date. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor www.grants.gov for the FOA, as this is the method by which it will be made available to the public. No email or paper copies will be provided.

$1M

other

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Haleakala National Park Youth Conservation Programs

National Park Service

United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) Notice of Intent to Award. This is not a request for applications. This posting is to provide public notice of NPS' intention to fund the following project activities: Task Agreement P17AC01597 under master Cooperative Agreement P15AC00049 with KUPU, for the project titled, "Haleakala National Park Youth Conservation Programs."

Up to $75K

natural resources

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Hampton Roads Community Foundation Community Grants

Educationcommunity developmentHealth+1

Hampton Roads Community Foundation

Hampton Roads Community Foundation ($500M in assets) supports nonprofits in VA through grants focused on education, community development, health, arts. Awards range from $2,500 to $150,000.

$3K – $150K

Rolling

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Hands on the Land

National Park Service

America s national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and marine sanctuaries offer unique teaching and learning opportunities. Hands on the Land (HOL) is a national network of field classrooms that connects K-12 students, teachers, families, and volunteers to federal public lands and waterways owned by multiple agencies, including NPS, that are members of Partners in Resource Education (PRE). NEEF provides the coordination of the multi-agency alliance and management of the HOL website.

$1 – $25K

Education

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

HARDWICK TOWN OF

Community DevelopmentEquity & Access

Transportation Agency

HARDWICK TOWN OF

Up to $32K

2026-07-10

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

DOC NOAA - ERA Production

Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

2026-07-16

innovation

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge: Toxin Detection in Seafood

Environmentalsustainability

DOC NOAA - ERA Production

The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Competitive Research Program (NCCOS/CRP) [formerly Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research (CSCOR)/Coastal Ocean Program (COP)] is soliciting proposals to drive practical and cost-effective innovations for harmful algal bloom toxin detection in seafood that promotes seafood safety, food security, and the economic success of U.S. seafood industries and their competitiveness in global markets. For this Announcement, proposals will focus on the development and advancement of innovative, efficient, and effective point-of-use harmful algal bloom toxin detection technologies in support of the Nation s nutritional, cultural, and economic seafood interests, and to reduce costs to U.S. communities and industries that rely on safe seafood. --- Funding is contingent upon the availability of Federal appropriations. If funding is available for this program, two to five projects are expected to be supported for one to three years in duration, with an approximate annual budget for each project of $100,000-$250,000, not to exceed $750,000 per project. NCCOS/CRP may reject any proposals submitted with an annual budget that is greater than $250,000 for any year. --- An informational webinar on this solicitation will be offered on March 24, 2026 from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information regarding this Announcement, including the webinar and additional background information, is available on the NCCOS Funding Opportunities webpage (https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/).

$1 – $250K

2026-07-16

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harmonization of Longitudinal Cross-National Surveys of Aging (R21)

National Institutes of Health

-Purpose. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant applications from applicant organizations that propose ex ante or ex post harmonization of nationally representative panel surveys on aging with the Health and Retirement Study or international studies that utilize a survey instrument that is harmonized with the Health and Retirement Study. -Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. -Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The FOA will support up to $1 million per year in total costs over two years for all projects awarded under this FOA. 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.

Up to $200K

Healthhealthcare

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Androgen-Driven Immune Modulation to Enhance Immunotherapy for Endocrine Cancers

NCI - National Cancer Institute

PROJECT SUMMARY Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, yet patients with endocrine tumors, including adrenal and ovarian cancers, rarely benefit due to poor immune infiltration and activation in steroid-rich environments. Androgens, traditionally viewed as cancer-promoting, may enhance anti-tumor immunity. High androgen receptor expression correlates with improved outcomes in adrenal, ovarian, and select breast cancers; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. Using a mouse model of adrenal cancer, my work revealed a sex bias in tumor incidence, with males exhibiting lower tumor burden, which was associated with androgen-driven immune activation. Androgen-secreting adrenal tumors in the clinic show better prognosis and greater immune infiltration, while androgen deprivation in our mouse model reduces intratumoral myeloid and lymphoid cells. Androgen supplementation increases circulating inflammatory monocytes, suggesting a tumor-protective role via immune activation. Similar androgen-driven immune responses occur in the ovary, paralleling clinical data linking androgens to reduced ovarian cancer risk. These findings support a translational potential for androgen-mediated immunity across endocrine malignancies. In the K99 phase, I will investigate how androgens enhance myeloid and lymphoid immune responses to improve ICB efficacy in ACC. Aim 1 will assess how androgens modulate myeloid cell function and recruit the adaptive immune response to promote anti-tumor immunity. I will use a syngeneic ACC mouse model with immune cell depletion and ICB, real-time ultrasound tumor tracking, and Xenium transcriptomics to dissect androgen-driven immune mechanisms. Findings will be validated in androgen-secreting ACC patient tumors. In the R00 phase, I will extend this work to ovarian cancer, a leading cause of gynecologic cancer mortality. Aim 2 will examine how androgen signaling enhances immune infiltration in the ovary and whether this can improve ICB efficacy in ovarian cancer. I will use AR-deficient myeloid mouse models, syngeneic ovarian tumor injections, and Xenium transcriptomics to define androgen-mediated immune effects. This will establish a potential rationale for androgen-based immunotherapeutics in ovarian cancer. My career development plan includes training in tumor immunology, Xenium transcriptomics, and ovarian cancer biology, supported by mentorship from leaders in the field. The research environment at Huntsman Cancer Institute offers state-of-the-art resources and collaborative opportunities to achieve these goals. The K99/R00 award will enable me to establish my independent research lab, where I aim to advance our understanding of how hormones impact the tumor immune environment and ultimately use this to improve therapeutic strategies.

Up to $127K

2028-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing antibody-driven bioconjugation to modulate immune function

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Project Summary Our ability to manipulate primary immune cells has advanced treatments for many human malignancies. While extensive work has focused on developing genetic methods to engineer immune cells, chemical approaches remain underexplored. Chemically modifying disease-associated proteins or immune receptors offers a simple, modular, and cost-effective way to redirect cytotoxicity toward diseased cells. Such approach, however, requires organic transformations that can be performed in a crude biological milieu or in living organisms with precise molecular control. A few reactions meet these criteria, even fewer have been employed to transform primary immune cells. Additionally, the nature of the chemical modifications and geometry of the corresponding receptor-small molecule fusion are critical for facilitating optimal immune response. Therefore, developing bioconjugation strategy capable of modifying endogenous cell surface receptors, and introducing new functions, will not only enhance our ability to synthesize new biomolecules but also produce cell-based modalities for therapeutic applications. Herein, the proposed work introduces antibody-driven proximity bioconjugation to equip immune receptors with the ability to redirect and activate effector cells to specific targets. First, a panel of antibody conjugates, consisting of an electrophilic linker and a payload of choice, will be synthesized. The preparation of these reagents emphasizes modularity and balance between conjugate reactivity and stability. Mass spectrometry- based pipelines will be used to comprehensively analyze the conjugates’ ability to modify the target antigen in vitro and on cells. Reaction parameters, such as specificity and efficiency, will be correlated with the warhead’s reactivity and the antibody’s affinity, culminating into a roadmap for further optimization. Second, antibody- directed ligation will be employed to introduce small molecule adapters onto CCL-1, a key surface target of acute myeloid leukemia. This modification will enable molecular control over complementary anti-adapter CAR T cell activity and broadening therapeutic index. Finally, the programmability and modularity of the antibody-directed ligation will allow for the modification of various immune receptors with unique chemical elements. Combinatorial targeting will create opportunities for engaging multiple cooperative cell types and eliciting synergistic immune responses. Together, the proposed studies offer a creative and multidisciplinary solution to longstanding challenges in bioconjugation and engineered cell therapies. Beyond cytotoxic signaling, future work will focus on modifying and multiplexing immune receptors with agonists or antagonists to fine-tune downstream signaling. Additionally, extending antibody-directed ligation to transform other cell surface molecules will further catalyze the development of new therapeutics.

Up to $182K

2028-05-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Biomolecular Simulations to Understand Protein Dynamics and Allostery

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Project Summary Enzyme malfunction underlies countless human diseases, and enzymes are both important drug targets, and therapeutics, with over a century of use of enzymes to treat a range of disorders. Enzymes are dynamic entities, and their conformational dynamics is essential to regulating their function and catalytic activities. There is increasing evidence that enzyme conformational dynamics can be effectively targeted both in drug discovery and for protein engineering purposes (for instance to generate new enzyme therapeutics). Successfully exploiting such dynamics for drug discovery or engineering, however, requires intimate understanding of the conformational transitions involved, how they are regulated, and how they link with the chemical step(s) of catalysis. This proposal will use computational tools to in detail explore the links between conformational dynamics, allosteric regulation and function in two sets of key biomedically important enzymes: PriA and TrpC, which are central enzymes of tryptophan biosynthesis, as well as the eyes absent protein tyrosine phosphatase EYA2. Specifically, simulation will be used to (1) understand loop dynamics and catalysis in PriA and TrpC, (2) understand the role of allosteric regulation in EYA2, and (3) develop novel computational tools for mapping residue and water communication networks in proteins. It should be noted that the enzymes that form the focus of this proposal were selected both for the importance of conformational dynamics and allostery to their activity and regulation, and for their biomedical importance, as the enzymes of tryptophan biosynthesis and PTPs are important drug targets for the treatment of tuberculosis and multiple cancers, respectively. Further, these enzymes are important model systems for the regulation of proteins from the ubiquitous (βα)8- or TIM barrel fold by catalytic loop dynamics, and of haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) phosphatases and PTPs by allostery (EYA PTPs are, unusually, HAD phosphatases). Insights obtained from studying these systems in detail, as well as the associated computational workflows, thus have broader impact for understanding how conformational dynamics can be engineered and manipulated across these enzyme families. Finally, all novel computational tools to be developed in this project will be made open-source and available under liberal licenses, providing valuable resources for the broader simulation community.

Up to $433K

2031-01-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Evidence-based Psychotherapies to Develop an Integrated Intervention Targeting Key Psychological Mechanisms of PTSD in Cardiac Patients

NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Project Summary Sudden, life-threatening cardiac events can be terrifying experiences that can trigger the onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms are common after cardiac events, with over 1 in 5 patients receiving implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest exhibiting elevated PTSD symptoms. Cardiac disease-induced PTSD symptoms are associated not only with worse mental health but a worse clinical prognosis, including poorer quality of life (QoL), greater disability, and greater risk of event recurrence and/or all-cause mortality. Further, cardiac-focused anxiety sensitivity—a unique aspect of cardiac disease-induced PTSD—is linked to worse health, medical reassurance seeking, and greater healthcare utilization. However, evidence-based interventions for these cardiac-induced psychological presentations are lacking. This R34 proposal will draw from existing, evidence-based psychotherapies to develop a streamlined intervention that addresses cardiac trauma-related fear and cardiac-focused anxiety sensitivity— two key manifestations of PTSD after cardiac events that relate to adverse outcomes and are direct targets of gold standard, exposure-based interventions for PTSD and panic disorder. Trauma-focused exposure reduces trauma-related fear and interoceptive exposure reduces anxiety sensitivity, but neither intervention has been tested in patients with cardiac trauma. After initial intervention development (Stage Ia), a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted (Stage Ib), in which patients with ICDs (N=70) from the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center will be randomized to 1) the trauma and anxiety sensitivity exposure-based treatment, called Cardiac Fears Treatment (CFT), or 2) standard supportive therapy (treatment as usual [TAU]). Participants will be assessed at pre-treatment, several periods throughout treatment, post-treatment, and a 6-month follow-up. In Aim 1, we will develop the CFT intervention using an iterative approach, guided by prior research and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., cardiology experts), and pilot testing in a small (N=8) open trial of patients with ICDs will yield initial feasibility and acceptability data. Subsequent aims will analyze data from the pilot RCT, generating additional feasibility and acceptability data, along with preliminary efficacy information. In Aim 2, we will compare CFT to TAU on psychological responses (self-report and behavioral task measures of cardiac trauma-related fear and cardiac-focused anxiety sensitivity). Aim 3 will compare CFT to TAU on health- related outcomes (health-related QoL and healthcare utilization). Finally, in Aim 4, we will explore whether key psychological processes targeted in the intervention (cardiac trauma-related fear and cardiac-focused anxiety sensitivity) mediate change in health-related outcomes. By targeting key psychological processes associated with adverse outcomes after a cardiac trauma, this mechanism-focused study has the potential to improve the emotional and physical health of cardiac patients and will generate critical feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy data needed to inform a grant proposal to test a refined version of CFT in a larger RCT.

Up to $236K

2029-05-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing in-tissue antibodies for therapeutic HSV control

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2) are major human viral pathogens that cause one of the most common, debilitating, stigmatized and lifelong infections of humankind with more than 143 million new infections every year and affecting more than 4 billion people around the world and more than 100 million Americans. While current antiviral therapies significantly reduce lesion burden they fail to eliminate subclinical shedding, mitigate chronic mucosal inflammation, or prevent neonatal herpes. Antiviral-resistant HSV strains create a significant burden for immunocompromised. Therefore, there is a medical need to develop better therapies for HSV-2. This study is based on our recent discovery of tissue-based antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) that can be found in genital skin up to 4 months after HSV lesion healing. These ASCs secrete antibodies that are highly potent against HSV and therefore can represent a critical component of tissue-restricted immune mechanism of HSV control. The potency and epitope diversity of the monoclonal antibodies we have identified is greater than those previously tested in humans. This provides both spatial and functional data that warrant assessment of these tissue-derived antibodies as potential novel in vivo therapeutics for HSV-2 prevention and functional cure. Recent advances in creating antibodies with extended half-life that can be given every 4 to 6 months and enhanced effector functions render clinical use of such antibodies feasible and add to the medical importance of long-acting functionally active human monoclonal antibodies. This proposal is dedicated to the comprehensive preclinical evaluation of human monoclonal antibodies isolated from skin-based ASCs to establish the link between their in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy in mouse and guinea pig models of HSV-2 infection and reactivation. Using advances in antibody engineering, we aim to develop long-acting immunotherapeutics capable of reducing viral shedding, preventing primary infection, and suppressing recurrent reactivation. These findings will not only inform HSV-2 immunotherapy but also provide critical insights for herpes vaccine development.

Up to $239K

2028-05-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Knowledge from the Social and Behavioral Sciences to Develop Sociobehavioral Interventions that Address Children's Oral Health Disparities

NIDCR - National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Project Summary/Abstract The proposed R13 grant seeks support for a conference entitled Harnessing Knowledge from the Social and Behavioral Sciences to Develop Sociobehavioral Interventions to Reduce Children’s Oral Health Inequities to be held at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, WA in Spring 2026. The objective of the proposed 3-day conference is to gather a community of scholars, connecting social and behavioral scientists with applied dental researchers. We will convene 24 researchers (1 applied dental researcher paired with either a social or behavioral scientist from outside of dentistry). Each pair will engage in preparatory work on their topic before the conference, with the goals of (a) presenting a critical paper on the current state of science on their topic and proposed immediate next steps relevant to sociobehavioral interventions needed to move the field forward and (b) integrating relevant findings from the conference into a final paper. The papers presented during the conference will be part of a special issue on sociobehavioral interventions, co-edited by the MPIs (Dr. Donald Chi and Dr. Cameron Randall) and published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. Using a model that drives interdisciplinary collaborations at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University, the R13 grant will bring together social and behavioral scientists and applied researchers in dentistry to advance promising interventions that address the key social and behavioral causes of children’s oral health inequities, reduce unnecessary pain and suffering, and improve the oral health and quality of life of socioeconomically vulnerable children. Children’s oral health inequities will be used as a case study to generate a more broadly generalizable model on how to systematically harness knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences to address health inequities through sociobehavioral interventions.

Up to $18K

2026-12-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing lysosome trafficking for enhanced antigen presentation

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Project Summary Robust antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cell responses are critical for effective immunity against cancer and infection. Despite advances in adjuvant development and cytokine modulation, strategies to optimize antigen delivery for MHC-II presentation remain underdeveloped. This proposal introduces a modular platform for antigen engineering—termed LyGens (lysosome-targeting antigens)—that leverages natural and de novo designed ligands for lysosomal trafficking receptors (LTRs), with the goal of enhancing lysosomal delivery and antigen presentation. Aim 1 prototypes LyGens that fuse microbial antigens to ligands of two well-characterized LTRs: insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) for the mannose-6-phosphate receptor (M6PR) and transferrin receptor binding peptide (TfRBP) for the transferrin receptor (TfR). Using antigens from Listeria monocytogenes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we will test if fusion constructs enhance co- localization with lysosomes and increase peptide-MHC-II complex formation, as measured by immunofluorescence, T cell reporter assays, and targeted immunopeptidomics (SureQuant). Aim 2 addresses the potential signaling concerns of natural ligand use by engineering LyGens fused to EndoTags—de novo designed LTR binders that target M6PR and TfR at sites orthogonal to native ligand binding domains. These EndoTag-LyGens are evaluated for their trafficking efficiency, MHC-II presentation, and signaling bioorthogonality using phospho-protein profiling and IGF2 competition assays. Together, these studies establish the design rules for a new class of engineered antigens that efficiently harness natural intracellular trafficking pathways to potentiate CD4⁺ T cell responses. The platform's modularity, translational potential, and compatibility with existing vaccine technologies suggest broad applicability to cancer, infectious disease, and autoimmunity. Ultimately, this work lays the foundation for programmable antigen delivery systems that can be tailored to elicit precise immunologic outcomes.

Up to $228K

2028-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Metabolic Machinery of Gut Bacteria for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis

NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Project Summary/Abstract Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a growing public health concern in industrialized nations, with an estimated cost of $1.66 trillion in the U.S. by 2039. Despite its prevalence, therapeutic strategies remain limited due to an incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in modulating metabolic and inflammatory processes in MASH through the production of microbiota-dependent metabolites (MDMs). Therefore, a promising approach is to augment therapeutic MDMs in the gut by reintroducing their producers. However, current microbiome-based interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), have been largely ineffective in ameliorating MASH due to critical gaps in identifying potent MDM-producing bacterial strains and elucidating the mechanisms that enable their durable engraftment in the gut. My long-term goal is to develop rationally designed microbiome therapeutics for MASH and other metabolic diseases by leading a multidisciplinary research program. This proposal aims to establish a foundational strategy to combat liver inflammation in MASH by leveraging bacterial strains with high MDM-producing capacity, focusing on Clostridia isolated from the Hadza hunter-gatherers. The Hadza harbor a highly distinct gut microbiome enriched with bacterial strains that efficiently utilize dietary polysaccharides and synthesize health-promoting MDMs, presenting promising therapeutic potential. Aim 1 will identify Hadza-derived Clostridia that produce anti-inflammatory MDMs. Aim 2 will investigate the mechanisms enabling their stable MDM production in the gut, with a focus on their polysaccharide-utilizing machinery that facilitates engraftment. Aim 3 will determine their immune and therapeutic effects in diet-induced MASH models. The successful completion of this study will enhance our understanding of gut bacterial metabolism in MASH and establish a rational framework for developing targeted microbiome therapeutics beyond current FMT approaches. Additionally, this K99/R00 award will provide essential training in both scientific and career development, facilitating my transition to becoming an interdisciplinary independent researcher. My training will be supported by a distinguished mentoring team with expertise in microbiome science (Dr. Justin Sonnenburg, primary mentor), liver biology (Dr. Natalie Torok, co-mentor), metabolomics (Dr. Michael Fischbach, advisor), gut ecology (Dr. Kerwyn Casey Huang, advisor), and immune profiling (Dr. Holden Maecker, advisor). Stanford University, a renowned institution in biomedical research, provides extensive resources, state-of-the-art equipment, and unparalleled opportunities to support my training. In summary, this K99/R00 proposal will equip me with the necessary skills to launch an independent research program in microbiome therapeutics for MASH and other metabolic diseases. The research findings will provide key insights into the role of microbiota in MASH and establish the groundwork for translational strategies aimed at improving metabolic and liver health.

Up to $92K

2028-01-31

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing mHealth to Support Loved Ones of Individuals in Recovery from Substance Use Disorders

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the most prevalent chronic behavioral health issues in the United States and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. However, there is a high rate of recovery from SUDs. The loved ones of those in recovery can be an important source of support. Unfortunately, relationships are often strained by the chronic relapsing and remitting nature of SUDs, and SUD-related stigma may impede support from loved ones. Efforts to implement evidence-based interventions for loved ones have been hampered by a number of factors, including required specialized training for interventionists and the lengthy nature of the interventions. Efficacious and scalable interventions are therefore needed to guide the loved ones of those in recovery in evidence-based approaches to support the recovery process. mHealth facilitated interventions could be used to address these barriers, allowing for more efficient use of interventionist time through automation while maintaining “on demand” availability and the human touch that many find helpful. We propose to refine the recovery specific content of the KulaMind Platform (KM-R), which is an AI-powered online program that aims to improve healthy family/social network behaviors and self- regulation skills of loved ones of those in recovery to strengthen the social support network. In addition to online skill building and educational modules, each loved one is matched with a coach who provides emotional support, accountability, and troubleshooting via one-on-one video sessions and “on demand” text-based support. Lastly, KM-R includes access to a community forum that allows loved ones to connect with others with shared experience. In the R61 phase, we will work with our Community Advisory Board to refine the content of KM-R; conduct an open label pilot study with 30 dyads (individual in early recovery and a loved one), in which the loved ones receive access to KM-R for 3 months, to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary signs of efficacy of the intervention; and further refine KM-R based on participant experiences. In the R33 phase, we will randomly assign 460 dyads consisting of an individual in recovery and a nominated loved one to the KM-R condition (3 months of access to KM-R for the loved one) vs. loved one referral to Nar-Anon. We will follow the dyads for 6 months. It is hypothesized that KM-R, relative to Nar-Anon referral, will result in higher recovery capital among individuals in recovery and less SUD-related stigma among loved ones (primary outcomes). In addition, in dyads assigned to KM-R vs. Nar-Anon referral, we expect better relationship satisfaction; less substance use among the individuals in recovery; and enhanced knowledge about SUDs and evidence-based treatment and greater self-efficacy to support recovery among loved ones (secondary outcomes). From study outset, we will solicit Community Advisory Board, participant, and stakeholder input regarding potential implementation challenges. This will allow us to proactively address these challenges and will enhance future clinical integration should KM-R be found efficacious.

Up to $481K

2027-04-30

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing Nutritional Modulation to Enhance Cancer Drug Potency

NCI - National Cancer Institute

Summary Effective treatment of advanced cancers remains a major challenge due to therapy resistance and limited response rates. This proposal aims to develop a genetic screening approach to systematically identify and exploit drug-diet interactions that enhance cancer therapy efficacy by leveraging cancer- specific metabolic vulnerabilities. By integrating precision dietary interventions with targeted therapies, we seek to improve treatment selectivity, minimize side effects, and expand therapeutic options, particularly for aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers. Our approach is based on the premise that cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic dependencies, which can be exacerbated under diet-induced metabolic stress. We propose to establish an unbiased, parallel screening platform using syngeneic orthotopic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) models to evaluate the interaction of over 2,000 drug targets with a defined dietary intervention that affects cancer cell proliferation. Promising drug-diet synergies identified from this screen will be further validated by assessing the impact of diet on drug efficacy in vivo. By focusing on clinically relevant compounds and personalized dietary strategies, this research has the potential to rapidly translate into novel combination therapies. The proposed study will provide a foundational framework for leveraging metabolic stress to enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments, paving the way for innovative precision medicine approaches in oncology.

Up to $404K

2027-02-28

Free to search & build · $99 one-time to unlock the application pack · No subscription

Harnessing single-cell transcriptomics for the determination of sexual dimorphism during Plasmodium falciparum gametocytogenesis

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Unlike higher eukaryotes, unicellular organisms like the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum rely on the precise regulation of molecular events that stabilize the development of one sex lineage and/or repress the alternative fate. The development of P. falciparum is closely tied to its complex life cycle where sexual differentiation within a subpopulation of host red blood cells is critical for transmission to the mosquito vector. This sexual lifecycle stage, known as gametocytogenesis is a lengthy process, taking approximately 12 days to transition from immature sexual stages (stage I) to mature, differentiated male and female stages (stage V) that can be taken up by the female anopheles mosquito. Despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms governing sexual development and dimorphism in P. falciparum remain poorly understood. Recent studies have begun to shed light on sexual development using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) and have defined a Malaria Cell Atlas,. These studies suggest that sexual fate in malaria parasites is likely determined downstream of commitment, following a branch point during gametocytogenesis. However, significant knowledge gaps persist, particularly regarding the timing and regulation of sex dimorphism. To address these gaps, we propose a comprehensive study leveraging scRNA-Seq to uncover the molecular mechanisms of cell fate determination using a combination of parasite genotypes from different geographical locations and unique genetic mutants in key regulators of gametocytogenesis. Our approach is structured around two specific aims. The first aim will determine the temporal, single-cell transcriptional landscape of gametocytogenesis using the 10x Genomics chromium platform with short-read (Illumina) sequencing using P. falciparum strains from varying genetic backgrounds of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia origin. We will also refine the classification of gametocyte clusters associated with distinct stages (I-V) of gametocytogenesis and better delineate the earliest lineage bifurcations along the sexual trajectory. To accomplish this, we will measure and compare temporal, scRNA-Seq data from genetically modified strains with defects in known regulators of sexual-stage development. The second aim will capture the evolutionary dynamics of sex-specific transcript isoform diversity. To assess the downstream impact of isoform regulators on gametocyte development, differentiation efficiency, morphology, and reproductive success, we will couple long-read (PacBio) sequencing to better elucidate masked transcriptional modules and differential exon usage during gametocytogenesis. Additionally, we will validate the role of candidate hub isoform regulator(s) using genetic manipulation techniques such as DiCre-inducible conditional knockout (cKO). The outcomes of this proposal include identifying key regulators of sexual dimorphism and lineage-specific transcript isoforms used by malaria parasites to prepare for mosquito transmission.

Up to $197K

2028-04-30