This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages research grant applications from investigators who propose to study research topics in blood banking and transfusion medicine aimed at improving the safety and availability of the blood supply and the practice of transfusion medicine. Research focused on improving blood donor health, the safety and availability of blood products, and improving the practice of transfusion medicine is critical to public health. Research designed to better understand the determinants of transfusion-associated adverse events and how best to minimize transfusion risks is also important. Research is also needed to maintain an adequate blood supply by minimizing the risks associated with the donation process and developing enhanced recruitment and retention programs.

This FOA will use the NIH Research Project (R01) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PAR-18-132, that encourages applications under the R21 mechanism.

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent: 30 days prior to the application due date
• R01 Deadlines: February 5, 2018; October 5, 2018; February 5, 2019; October 5, 2019
• R21 Deadlines: February 16, 2018; October 16, 2018; February 16, 2019; October 16, 2019
• AIDS Deadlines: May 7, 2018; January 7, 2019; May 7, 2019; January 7, 2020

PAR-18-126 Expiration Date: January 8, 2020