QCRG Developmental Research Projects – 2023

Overview

The QCRG (Quantitative Biosciences Institute Coronavirus Research Group) Pandemic Response Program, one of the NIH Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern, has funds to support up to four Developmental Research Projects. The goal for these collaborative grants is to advance QCRG’s mission to develop clinical drug candidates with potent in vivo antiviral activity against viruses of pandemic concern, and advance a readily shared platform of technologies and target strategies applicable also to future pandemics. Awards are open to investigators external to QCRG at faculty-level or equivalent. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with Center Investigator(s) on the proposed project but may choose to apply without involvement of QCRG-affiliated faculty.

Awardees will be required to participate in the Center’s annual SAB Meeting, monthly Center Scientific Meetings and other QCRG events where they will be strongly encouraged to present their research. They will also have to submit an annual progress report. Funds will be provided for one, maximum two years.

Research Objectives and Scope

The efforts of QCRG are focused on eight target classes from eight viral families: Coronaviridae, Picornaviridae, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Arenaviridae, Nairoviridae and Paramyxoviridae. Our main focus is on SARS-CoV-2, where the following viral components will be targeted across 5 Projects: viral RNA, Nsp3 PLP and Nsp5 Mpro proteases, the Nsp3 macrodomain, the RdRp polymerase (Nsp7, Nsp8 and Nsp12), the structural proteins E and M, and the methyltransferases Nsp10/14 and Nsp16. More detailed information about the different Projects can be found on QCRG’s website: https://qcrg.ucsf.edu/projects.  

The 5 Projects are supported by 8 Cores, which provide integrated suite of experimental and computational technologies including protein purification, high-throughput screening, Cryo-EM, Cryo-ET and crystallography capabilities, computational support to structure determination and inhibitor discovery, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, on-target compound optimization, in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity measurements. The final goal of each project is an optimized lead ready for clinical development at our industry partner, Roche. 

Proposed projects should address topics relevant to the QCRG research efforts, and may include specific technologies to enhance the Center’s Drug Discovery Platform, adaptation of the Center to new variants of concern or emerging RNA viruses identified as pathogens with pandemic potential, new targets for the viruses listed above, or new developments of the pharmaceutical landscape relevant to individual QCRG Projects. Developmental Research Projects may encompass research to obtain preliminary data to apply for independent funding such as the R01 mechanism, and may define a new direction of the Center. 

Clarifying Update on Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants must be able to serve as a PI/PD per corresponding institution policies. Awards are open ONLY to investigators external to QCRG at faculty-level or equivalent. Researchers currently supported by an AViDD award, or that have a conflict-of-interest with someone supported by an AViDD award, are not eligible to apply.

Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed and ranked according to the following criteria: (1) significance and innovation of the research, (2) productivity, training, experience and record of accomplishment of the investigator(s), (3) soundness of the research strategy, including measures to ensure reproducibility and reliability of results and appropriate consideration of biological variables such as gender of subjects, if relevant, (4) scientific environment and how it will contribute to success of the proposed work and (5) complementarity and integration into the existing research within QCRG, and potential to be developed into independent funding or a full QCRG Research Project. In addition, all grants will be evaluated for ethical and safety considerations and required to comply with federal regulations and NIH policies. For research that involves human subjects, the committee will evaluate the justification and proposed protections from research risk relating to human subject participation according to the NIH Guidelines for Reviewers: Protections for Human Subjects Review Criterion. The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment using the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS), determine if plans are appropriate relative to the scientific work proposed, and monitor and ensure compliance of all projects involving human or animal subjects upon award.

Required Application Components

• The application will require a 3-page scientific proposal, including an Abstract of no more than 300 words describing the significance of the project, Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, and Approach and detailed milestones.
  • Include clearly defined aims and a justification for why the proposed work addresses a major challenge and complements the Center’s objectives. 
  • If applicants submit a collaborative proposal with a QCRG member, applicants must include a statement of the roles of collaborating Center Investigator(s) and how the resources and expertise of the Center will be utilized.
• References
• NIH format biosketches for key personnel
• NIH Research & Related budget and justification (up to $250,000/year direct costs)
  • Budget must follow NIH guidelines
  • Project leader must commit a minimum of 1.2 cal person months effort per year
• For applications outside of UCSF: Institutional F&A negotiated rate agreement
• Projects involving human or animal subjects are allowed with appropriate approvals (i.e., IRB, IACUC).

All documents should be submitted as one PDF to admin-AViDD@ucsf.edu by 11:59 PM PT February 8, 2023. Please also direct any questions to admin-AViDD@ucsf.edu.

Progress Reporting

Progress/final reports will be due to the Center one month prior to the Center’s NIH progress reporting date and at the end of the project period. The funding period is up to two years, but a no-cost extension of six months can be granted if justified in the progress report. Final reports will be required to include research progress, including metrics such as resulting submitted and/or accepted publications and follow-on grant applications, as well as milestones reached and future plans. Awardees should describe if outcomes described in the application have been accomplished or justify why outcomes could not be achieved or have been modified. If justifiable milestones have not been met, the Administrative Core reserves the right to discontinue the project. Projects nominated by the Executive Committee to be promoted to a full QCRG Research Project must submit a section detailing the Project’s integration into the Center or how it will define a new research direction. Final approval of project promotion or termination will be with the SAB. Progress and final reports will be provided to the Center Director and the NIH program office.