For the next several weeks, our regular Grant Alerts update emails will lead off with a comprehensive overview of the funding landscape pertaining to the COVID-19 response effort.

Hanover Research is closely monitoring developments surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it has and may continue to impact the higher education community. This resource center provides key facts, resources, and potential responses to this rapidly evolving situation.

We have set up a dedicated COVID-19 support email (covid19-support@hanoverresearch.com) where you may ask any questions related to COVID-19. In addition, and as always, your dedicated Content Director and Relationship Director also are ready to help with custom research solutions to the challenges you are facing. 

New COVID-19 grant opportunities—as well as extensive guidance for adjustments to existing programs—have been released by a variety of federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health.

Dear Colleague Letter on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): NSF encourages the research community to respond to this challenge through existing funding opportunities. In addition, we invite researchers to use the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) funding mechanism, which allows NSF to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. Requests for RAPID proposals may be for up to $200,000 and up to one year in duration. Well-justified proposals that exceed these limits may be entertained. All questions should be directed either to a program officer managing an NSF program with which the research would be aligned or to rapid-covid19@nsf.gov.

Dear Colleague Letter: Provisioning Advanced Cyberinfrastructure to Further Research on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Through this DCL, the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering is inviting RAPID proposals and supplemental funding requests to existing awards that address COVID-19 challenges through data and/or software infrastructure development activities. Such activities would be funded by the Computational and Data-Enabled Science and Engineering program or the Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation program. Proposals in response to this DCL and the NSF DCL on COVID-19 (NSF 20-052) may also request the use of NSF-funded advanced computing resources such as Frontera, Stampede2, Bridges, Comet, and JetStream. To ensure availability of these computing resources, investigators must contact OAC prior to submission of the proposal.

Deadlines for nine programs have been shifted:

• Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER): New Urban Site (from June 15 to August 14)
• Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation 2020 (from March 26 to April 9)
• DCL: Exploring the NSF 2026 Idea Machine (from April 30 to May 15)
• Next Generation Software for Data-driven Models of Space Weather and Quantified Uncertainties (SWQU) (from March 20 to March 27)
• NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) (from March 25 to April 22)
• Competition for the Management of Operations and Maintenance of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) (from June 19 to September 18)
• Algorithms for Threat Detection (ATD) (from March 18 to March 25)
• NSF-Simons Research Collaborations on the Mathematical and Scientific Foundations of Deep Learning (MoDL) (from March 20 to March 27)

HHS divisions, including NIH and ASPR, are supporting the development of multiple diagnostic tests, vaccines, and potential therapeutic treatments for COVID-19. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) continues to seek partners for COVID-19 medical countermeasures, and offers multiple ways to submit proposals for potential new products or technologies. Thus far, BARDA has announced two COVID-19 funding opportunities:

HHS Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Novel Coronavirus EZ-BAA: Academic institutions are eligible to apply; the deadline is rolling until 2023. Specific grant size limitations are not mentioned. The BAA reads: “To spur innovation, BARDA has issued its business-friendly, streamlined Easy Broad Agency Announcement (EZ-BAA) to support a number of new medical countermeasures to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the EZ-BAA, BARDA is looking for: Molecular diagnostic assay for SARS-CoV-2 virus on existing FDA-cleared platform; Point-of-care diagnostic assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus; Diagnostic assay for detection of COVID-19 disease; Nonclinical model development and screening for SARS-CoV-2 virus; Alternate vaccine delivery/administration and adjuvants; and advanced manufacturing technologies.”

The NIH has announced three new COVID-19 funding initiatives through a variety of ICs:

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Urgent Competitive Revisions for Research on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): NIAID and NIGMS are issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to highlight the urgent need for research on the 2019 novel Coronavirus. NIAID is particularly interested in projects focusing on viral natural history, pathogenicity, transmission, as well as projects developing medical countermeasures and suitable animal models for pre-clinical testing of vaccines and therapeutics against 2019-nCoV. NIGMS is specifically interested in incorporation of data from the 2019-nCoV into ongoing research efforts to develop predictive models for the spread of Coronaviruses and related pathogens. Proposals are due by February 6, 2021.

Depending on IC and award type—contact the Program Officer to verify—COVID emergency funding through the above NOSIs should be submitted through one of the following three programs:

• PA-18-591: Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)
• PA-18-935: Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional)
• PA-20-135: Emergency Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Awards (Emergency Supplement - Clinical Trial Optional) [Notably, NIBIB announced that it is now aligned with PA-20-135.]

Generally speaking, deadlines have been delayed for a handful of NIH programs (see here and here, for example); the NIH has not yet provided a comprehensive list, but interested PIs should reach out to the relevant Program Officer in each case. Other relevant NIH notices are as follows:

NIH Late Application Policy Due to Public Health Emergency for United States for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Key takeaway: “When delays occur because the applicant or recipient organization is officially closed or unable to submit grant applications due to the effects of COVID-19, the NIH will consider accepting applications late, on a case-by-case basis.”

Guidance for NIH-funded Clinical Trials and Human Subjects Studies Affected by COVID-19. Key takeaways: “Recipients may submit late financial and progress reports, if research is delayed due to COVID-19, and may carryover unobligated balances on active grants without requesting prior approval. . . . Recipients may extend the final budget period of the approved project on active grants one time for up to 12 months without requesting prior approval from NIH. . . . If unanticipated costs are identified due to impacts of COVID-19, and unobligated balances are not available to rebudget, recipients may request administrative supplements from the funding ICs.” See also the FDA announcement.

NIH Guidance on Travel and Meetings. Key takeaway: “NIH is urging staff to limit work-related attendance at large meetings to those that are mission critical.”

NIH Flexibilities Available to Applicants and Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance Affected by COVID-19. Key takeaways: “If a recipient organization’s policy allows for the charging of salaries and benefits during periods when no work is performed due to the effect of COVID-19, regardless of the funding source, including Federal and non-Federal, then such charges to NIH grant awards will be allowable. . . . Institutions affected by COVID-19 may continue to provide stipend payments to fellows and trainees who may be unable to work as a result of or related to COVID-19. Recipients should notify the assigned grants management official, and provide documentation demonstrating the effect of COVID-19, and how long the institution will be affected. . . . Non-refundable costs associated with grant-related travel that has been cancelled due to COVID-19 may be charged to the NIH award if they would have otherwise been allowable. . . . NIH will allow recipients that are affected by COVID-19 to delay submission of any final financial, performance, and other reports required by the terms and conditions of award for the closeout of expired projects, provided that proper notice about the reporting delay is given by the recipient to the agency.”

4. Other Federal Responses

National Endowment for the Humanities

NEH Resource Hub. Key takeaways: “NEH is working to continue to serve the public and to accept, review, and process grant applications and awards according to our normal schedule. . . . We understand that COVID-19 may impact your funded project as activities may be postponed or cancelled. Please contact your project officer and grant management specialist through eGMS Reach so we can help you explore options such as extensions, budget revisions, and scope changes.”

National Endowment for the Arts

NEA Resource Hub. Key takeaway: “Grant application deadlines have not changed, and we look forward to receiving and reviewing our next round of grant applications in the coming weeks.”

Institute of Museum and Library Services

IMLS Resource Hub. Key takeaway: “For questions about submitting new applications, please contact an IMLS program staff member listed on the landing page for the grant program. For questions about active awards, please contact your IMLS program officer directly by phone, through email, or through your eGMS Reach account.”

No guidance has yet been listed on shifts in deadlines or new COVID-19 external grant competitions for the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC Response), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA Response), U.S. Department of Education (ED Resource Hub), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD Resource Hub), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID Resource Hub), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA Resource Hub), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL Resource Hub), or U.S. Department of Energy (DOE Resource Hub).

Notably, many of these departments and agencies have announced industry partnerships, internal laboratory efforts, and other initiatives (see below for examples); more external funding opportunities pertaining to COVID-19 will likely be announced in the near future.

• USDA Announces Feeding Program Partnership in Response to COVID-19
• USDA Working with Private Sector in Response to COVID-19
• U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of up to $100 Million In National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grants in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
• SAMHSA COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response and 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance
• How DOE and Our Labs Are Combating COVID-19
• SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• HHS Announces New Public-Private Partnership to Develop U.S.-Based, High-Speed Emergency Drug Packaging Solutions
• Secretary Azar Announces Historic Expansion of Telehealth Access to Combat COVID-19
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Continues to Facilitate Development of Treatments

5. Legislative Response

The U.S. Senate is debating a stimulus package of up to $2 trillion (including business loans, or $1.3 trillion without) to support communities, businesses, and institutions through the COVID-19 public health crisis. Funding agencies are making determinations now on specific funding vehicles to carry these funds to the public. This investment would be comparable to funding that entered the pipeline under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act a decade ago, with similar impacts on the grants universe. The bill is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate, and will likely pass within the next few days.

6. Foundation/Corporate Response

Generally speaking, private foundations appear to be responding quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for delayed applications, removing restrictions on funding, and accommodating disruptions to their regular grant competitions. Many funders are also providing new COVID-19 funding initiatives (i.e., in addition to standard giving) to support affected populations and institutions.

A Call to Action: Philanthropy's Commitment During COVID-19: A few dozen major US-based and international foundations (including the Ford and Hewlett Foundations) announced to pledge their commitment to more flexible funding to help grantee partners meet emergency needs prompted by the COVID-19 crisis. Over the days, weeks, and months ahead, each of the Foundations pledges to:

• Loosen or eliminate the restrictions on current grants. This can include: converting project-based grants to unrestricted support; accelerating payment schedules; and not holding grantees responsible if conferences, events, and other project deliverables must be postponed or canceled.
• Make any new grants as unrestricted as possible, so that nonprofit partners have maximum flexibility to respond to this crisis. We will also support organizations created and led by the communities most affected that we may not fund currently.
• Reduce what we ask of our nonprofit partners, postponing reporting requirements, site visits, and other demands on their time during this challenging period.
• Contribute to community-based emergency response funds and other efforts to address the health and economic impact on those most affected by this pandemic.

American Heart Association Update: “Inform AHA if your funded projects are placed on hold indefinitely. This could take the form of restrictions on human subject recruitment or visits with enrolled subjects, as well as inaccessibility to laboratories. AHA will support interim-year carryover requests due to suspension of research projects and allow rebudgeting. No-cost-extensions are available as always. Unrefunded charges (conference registration, airline ticket, etc.) incurred with the intent to attend a scientific conference that was subsequently cancelled can be charged to an AHA grant.”

Sloan Foundation Update: “No grantee will be penalized for having to delay or modify grant metrics due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. If you anticipate major disruptions to your Sloan-funded project, please reach out to your program officer to discuss the situation.”

Russell Sage Foundation Update: “Because of the effects of COVID-19 on all facets of American life, the Russell Sage Foundation is changing its immediate priorities for letters of inquiry for the May 21, 2020, deadline. For this deadline, RSF will only consider LOIs that satisfy at least one of the following criteria: (a) The research is so timely and time-sensitive that the project must start before April 1, 2021; or, (b) the research analyzes social, political, economic, or psychological disruptions resulting from the coronavirus crisis that affect social and living conditions in the United States.”

Lumina Foundation Update: “We can talk about adjusting, delaying, or waiving terms and timelines of any grant or contract (including interim and final reports) so that you can put your focus where it needs to be right now. We will do what’s best for you and the work to ensure the continued strength of our partners—and the best outcomes. We will continue to consider new grants and contracts advanced by Lumina’s employees. To ensure Lumina’s partners maintain sufficient cash flow, we can accelerate payments under already-approved grants.”

Many prominent corporations and foundation funders have launched COVID-19 relief funds. While external grant competitions have not yet been announced, we will monitor the status of these grant efforts (see below for prominent examples) and update with deadlines and more information when available.

• Council of Foundations Resource Hub
• Gates Foundation Resource Hub
• California Endowment Announces a $5 Million COVID-19 Response Plan
• JPMorgan Chase Makes $50 Million Philanthropic Investment to Help Address COVID-19
• Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund Launched
• Coalition of Nonprofits Calls on Congress for $60 Billion Infusion
• WHO, UN Foundation and Partners (Including Facebook and Google) Launch First-Of-Its-Kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund
• Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund Launched
• Google Commits $50 Million for Global COVID-19 Response
• Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces New $40 Million Coronavirus Global Response Initiative
• Greater Seattle Area Grantmakers Unite to Provide $9.2 million for COVID-19 Response Fund
• Bank of America Pledges $100 Million for COVID-19 Response Efforts
• Citi Foundation to Provide $15 Million to Support COVID-19 Related Relief Efforts Globally
• Truist Financial Corporation Announces a $25 Million Pledge to Address COVID-19 Pandemic
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard Launch Initiative to Speed Development and Access to Therapies for COVID-19
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Philanthropies Respond to COVID-19
• Greater New Orleans Foundation Activates Disaster Response & Restoration Fund for the New Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
• El Pomar Foundation Establishes Assistance Fund for COVID-19
• Adaptive Biotechnologies and Microsoft Expand Partnership to Decode COVID-19 Immune Response and Provide Open Data Access

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Below is a recap of programmatic funding opportunities and industry-specific news items that were recently announced, nationwide. While these alerts are intended to provide you with a broad-reaching overview of the opportunities available, we certainly want to hear if there are specific opportunities that you would like to pursue. Please let your Content Director know if you have any questions or are interested in learning more. Notably, some grantmakers may shift their priorities to better address the public health impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It will be important to continually monitor funding announcement deadlines as grant-makers pivot to meet the changing demands of society.