This initiative seeks to deepen their understanding of how immunity is regulated in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts, aiming to uncover novel pathways, mediators, or cell types that shape mucosal immune responses.

MIST emphasizes fundamental discovery, encouraging proposals that introduce fresh ideas, innovative methods, and advanced technologies to tackle challenging questions in mucosal immunology. The program focuses on basic and applied research, allowing use of animal models or human tissues to probe immune function, though it does not support clinical trials or research centered on pathogens or vaccines solely as outcomes.

This funding comes through a cooperative agreement model, meaning that NIH scientists and grantees collaborate closely. Recipients will participate in a steering committee alongside NIH project scientists to guide the initiative’s direction, participate in shared infrastructure, and benefit from an Infrastructure and Opportunities Fund (IOF) designed to support pilot and collaborative projects.

In terms of funding, NIAID plans to commit approximately $3 million in fiscal 2026 to support four to five awards, including a $750,000 IOF. Individual applications may request up to $350,000 in annual direct costs (excluding IOF funds), and awards may span up to five years.

Awards are expected to begin in March through May 2026, depending on project scope. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, local governments, and international organizations. However, any application involving foreign subawards must comply with new NIH policies limiting such arrangements unless specifically permitted.

This opportunity invites research teams to contribute foundational insights into mucosal immunity—supporting innovation, collaboration, and impactful discovery in this critical area of immunological science.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.