Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) program

Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) program is sponsored by National Institutes of Health. The Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) program will serve as a hub for collaboration, testing and dissemination of research products from the network of MIDAS investigators.

Expired PAR-23-129: Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) Program (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) This notice has expired. Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. Department of Health and Human Services Part 1.

Overview Information Participating Organization(s) National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Components of Participating Organizations National Institute of General Medical Sciences ( NIGMS ) Funding Opportunity Title Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) Program (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) R24 Resource-Related Research Projects NOT-OD-22-195 New NIH "FORMS-H" Grant Application Forms and Instructions Coming for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2023 NOT-OD-22-189 Implementation Details for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy NOT-OD-22-198 Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans Included with Applications Due on or after January 25, 2023 NOT-OD-23-012 Reminder: FORMS-H Grant Application Forms & Instructions Must be Used for Due Dates On or After January 25, 2023 - New Grant Application Instructions Now Available Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number Companion Funding Opportunity Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility. Assistance Listing Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose The Coordination Center for the Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) program will advance infectious disease modeling science by serving as a hub for collaboration and dissemination of research products from the MIDAS investigator network.

The Coordination Center will also function as the primary repository for MIDAS-related datasets, models and software. It will maintain, promote and maximize the utility and use of shared MIDAS resources.

In addition, the Coordination Center will proactively develop collaborative activities and educational opportunities with the goals of enhancing the utility of MIDAS resources, advancing disease modeling science, and improving training opportunities for MIDAS network members, including graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Limited funding will also be provided to allow the Coordination Center to conduct rigorous research on the evaluation and meta-analysis of existing modeling resources and approaches for the study of infectious disease spread and intervention. Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date(s) Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

Required Application Instructions It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced.

Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV . When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Part 1. Overview Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section IV. Application and Submission Information Section V.

Application Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII.

Other Information Part 2. Full Text of Announcement Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description The network for the Modeling Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) program consists of a network of researchers who share the common goal of enhancing the science of infectious disease modeling to study the interactions of infectious agents with their hosts, disease spread and prediction.

The emergence or re-emergence of infectious disease epidemics is a constant challenge. Advances in infectious disease modeling are critical for improving our understanding of the dynamics of pathogen emergence and spread, and for efforts to enhance interventions, surveillance and detection of events.

This NOFO encourages applications for a MIDAS Coordination Center that will support and extend the work of the MIDAS network research groups by: 1. Providing infrastructure to collect, maintain and disseminate MIDAS-related resources The MIDAS Coordination Center should collect, curate and share MIDAS-related resources such as data, models, software, tools, methods, etc..

The Center should make these resources available on a user-friendly website and track usage statistics. Contributed resources must adhere to Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable ( FAIR ) principles. 2.

Acquiring and archiving harmonized and standardized infectious disease surveillance data for use by the modeling community The MIDAS Coordination Center should identify, obtain, and make available to the research community harmonized and standardized infectious disease surveillance data for testing and evaluating infectious disease-related models.

MIDAS network PDs/PIs and other relevant sources can contribute well-curated MIDAS-related datasets. The Coordination Center should proactively collect these datasets and should identify additional datasets best suited for testing specific models. The MIDAS Coordination Center will acquire bulk datasets from external resources such as private companies on behalf of MIDAS network researchers.

3. Organizing community-based activities to promote and publicize advances in infectious disease modeling science The MIDAS Coordination Center should sponsor community-based activities, which may include workshops, modeling challenges and publication of the outcomes of these activities. 4.

Performing outreach and hosting activities, including educational and mentoring activities, to cultivate the next generation of infectious disease modeling researchers The MIDAS Coordination Center should spearhead educational efforts for MIDAS network student and postdoctoral trainees and promote diversity in the infectious disease-modeling community.

These efforts may include but are not limited to broadening educational and mentoring opportunities in modeling science and sponsoring workshops to provide participants with hands-on experience in disease modeling. 5. Providing logistical support for MIDAS activities The MIDAS Coordination Center should establish and maintain relationships with public health agencies that can benefit from access to MIDAS resources and expertise.

Since the network itself is a research endeavor aimed at improving disease modeling science, the Coordination Center should not make public health recommendations. The MIDAS Coordination Center should lead other outreach efforts, such as hosting webinars and an annual meeting to encourage collaboration and information sharing within the infectious-disease modeling community. 6.

Conducting evaluation and meta-analysis of infectious-disease modeling resources and approaches The MIDAS Coordination Center should conduct independent research.

Research funding in line with the typical R01 level of support (~$250K/year Direct Cost) will be provided to enable an impactful research program on the evaluation and meta-analysis of existing modeling resources and approaches for the study of infectious disease spread and intervention.

Enhancing Diverse Perspectives NIGMS recognizes that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogeneous teams.

There are many benefits that flow from a diverse scientific workforce, including: fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of the research, advancing the likelihood that underserved populations participate in, and benefit from research, and enhancing public trust. To support the best science, NIGMS encourages inclusivity in research.

Examples of structures that promote diverse perspectives include but are not limited to: Transdisciplinary research projects and collaborations among researchers from fields such as biology, mathematics, and data sciences. Engagement from different types of institutions and organizations (e.g., research-intensive, undergraduate-focused, minority-serving, community-based).

Individual applications and partnerships that enhance geographic and regional heterogeneity. Investigators and teams composed of researchers at different career stages.

Participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including groups traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce (see NOT-OD-20-031 ), such as underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women. Project-based opportunities to enhance the research environment to benefit early- and mid-career investigators.

This NOFO requires a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) as part of the application (see Section IV. 2 SF424(R&R) Other Project Information. Other Attachments).

For further information on the PEDP, please see https://braininitiative. nih. gov/about/pedp-key-elements-and-examples .

Organizational Structure of MIDAS The MIDAS Coordination Center should build a governance team consisting of one or more PDs/PIs with expertise in modeling, data science, management of personnel in a research setting and experience with outreach, education and/or training. A multi-PD/PI structure is encouraged but not required.

The Center leadership should leverage existing resources and unique institutional assets to meet the MIDAS network needs. Leadership must maintain a Steering Committee to advise on MIDAS Coordination Center resource allocation and activities. See Section VIII.

Other Information for award authorities and regulations. Section II. Award Information Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.

Application Types Allowed The OER Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO. Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials.

Need help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial? Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Application may request up to $900,000 per year in direct costs including up to $250,000 for an independent research program on the evaluation and meta-analysis of exisiting modeling resources and approaches (consortium F&A costs are not included in the direct cost limit). Inflationary adjustments are not allowed. The requested budget should be consistent with the number of PDs/PIs and the complexity and needs of the proposed program.

Applications must request five years of support. NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO. Section III.

Eligibility Information Higher Education Institutions Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education: Hispanic-serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education) For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses) City or Township Governments Special District Governments Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession Independent School Districts Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement , are not allowed. Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award.

All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. The NIH Policy on Late Submission of Grant Applications states that failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission.

System for Award Management (SAM) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually . The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.

NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)- A UEI is issued as part of the SAM. gov registration process.

The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants. gov registrations; all registrations must be in place by time of submission.

eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application. Grants. gov Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.

gov registration. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.

If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Investigator) Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support.

Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities , NOT-OD-22-019 .

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Each PD/PI is required to dedicate at least 2 person-months to this effort and the contact PD/PI is required to dedicate at least 3 person-months to this effort.

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique NIH Institutional Profile Number, IPF) is allowed.

The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time, per 2. 3. 7.

4 Submission of Resubmission Application . This means that the NIH will not accept: A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application. A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.

An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see 2. 3. 9.

4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications ). Section IV. Application and Submission Information 1.

Requesting an Application Package The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants. gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.

gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution. 2.

Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced.

Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. All page limitations described in the SF424 Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed. Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. SF424(R&R) Other Project Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

Facilities and Other Resources: Provide information on the adequacy of physical or cloud-based platforms that will be used to host resources provided by the Coordination Center. Other Attachments: The application must include the following attachment.

Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) (1-page maximum): All applications must include a summary of strategies to advance the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project through expanded inclusivity.

The PEDP should provide a holistic and integrated view of how enhancing diverse perspectives is viewed and supported throughout the application and can incorporate elements with relevance to any review criteria (significance, investigator(s), innovation, approach, and environment) as appropriate. Where possible, applicants should align their description with these required elements within the research strategy section.

The PEDP will vary depending on the scientific aims, expertise required, the environment and performance site(s), as well as how the project aims are structured. The PEDP should include a timeline and milestones for relevant components that will be considered as part of the review.

Examples of items that advance inclusivity in research and may be part of the PEDP can include, but are not limited to: Discussion of engagement with different types of institutions and organizations (e.g., research-intensive, undergraduate-focused, minority-serving, community-based). Description of any planned partnerships that may enhance geographic and regional diversity.

Plan to enhance recruiting of women and individuals from groups traditionally under-represented in the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce. Proposed monitoring activities to identify and measure PEDP progress benchmarks. Plan to utilize the project infrastructure (i.e., research and structure) to support career-enhancing research opportunities for diverse junior, early- and mid-career researchers.

Description of any training and/or mentoring opportunities available to encourage participation of students, postdoctoral researchers and co-investigators from diverse backgrounds. Plan to develop transdisciplinary collaboration(s) that require unique expertise and/or solicit diverse perspectives to address research question(s). Publication plan that enumerates planned manuscripts and proposed lead authorship.

Outreach and planned engagement activities to enhance recruitment of individuals from diverse groups as research participants including those from under-represented backgrounds. For further information on the PEDP, please see https://braininitiative. nih.

gov/about/pedp-key-elements-and-examples . This attachment should be titled Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives. SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

Biographical Sketch: The Biographical Sketches should document the PDs'/PIs' expertise in infectious disease modeling research, experiences in collaborative efforts in the field, and their leadership and management qualifications. All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

The budget request should be consistent with all of the required elements; funds for organizing and planning annual investigator conferences should be included. PEDP implementation costs: Budget request may include allowable costs associated with PEDP implementation (as outlined in the Grants Policy Statement ). All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Outline the approach and methods to develop Coordination Center web-based resources, including descriptions of infrastructure, maintenance, and dissemination.

Applicants must provide a plan of action for sustained resource storage and describe how curated resources will adhere to the FAIR Principles . If controlled access to resources is needed, applicants should describe the circumstances that require controlled access and how the controls will be implemented.

Describe methods for acquiring and archiving harmonized and standardized infectious disease surveillance data for use by the MIDAS network members. Provide a plan for community-based activities to advance disease modeling science. Specify the logistical support, including planning and execution, for these activities and describe how they will foster and publicize progress in disease modeling science.

Outline the educational and mentoring activities for MIDAS network student and postdoctoral trainees that the Coordination Center will develop to cultivate the next generation of disease modeling researchers. Specify how these activities will broaden participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Explain how the Center will engage with public health agencies to facilitate access to research models, data and information and how the Center will ensure it maintains focus on its research mission and avoids making public health recommendations. Outline the logistical support that the Coordination Center will supply, including planning and execution, for the annual MIDAS meeting and webinars.

Provide a strategy to create an impactful research program on the evaluation and meta-analysis of existing modeling resources and approaches for the study of infectious disease spread and intervention. Outline a plan for proactive leadership of collaborative activities for the MIDAS network to enhance collegial and cooperative interactions among its members.

Describe plans for establishing a Steering Committee to oversee the Center, advising on resource allocation and activities. The Steering Committee should consist of at least five funded MIDAS PDs/PIs, each serving a two-year term with the potential for term renewal.

For new proposed MIDAS Coordination Centers, applicants should not form this Steering Committee prior to an award and should not contact or name potential committee members in their application. For existing Centers with an established Steering Committee, applicants should include names of current Steering Committee members. The Steering Committee should hold one in-person meeting as well as optional teleconferences.

Resource Sharing Plan : Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Other Plan(s): Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H application forms packages.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan.

All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Appendix: Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

No publications or other material, with the exception of blank questionnaires or blank surveys, may be included in the Appendix.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional instructions: If you answered Yes to the question Are Human Subjects Involved?

on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record. Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed. PHS Assignment Request Form All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 1. Section III.

1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants. gov 4. Submission Dates and Times Part I.

Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday , the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants. gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

NIH and Grants. gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.

gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Policy on Late Application Submission.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission. Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. 5.

Intergovernmental Review (E. O. 12372) This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement . Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement . 7.

Other Submission Requirements and Information Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date.

Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration. For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply Application Guide .

If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII. All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form .

Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH. See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review, NIH. Applications that are incomplete or non-compliant will not be reviewed. Applications must include a PEDP submitted as an Other Attachment on the SF424(R&R) Other Project Information form.

Applications that fail to include a PEDP will be considered incomplete and will be withdrawn without review. Post Submission Materials Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy Section V. Application Review Information Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the Center to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the Center proposed). Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit and give a separate score for each.

An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a Center that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field. Does the Coordination Center address the needs of the MIDAS network that it will coordinate and serve?

Is the scope of activities proposed for the Center appropriate to meet those needs? How will successful completion of the aims bring unique advantages or capabilities to the MIDAS network? Specific to this NOFO: To what extent do the efforts described in the PEDP further the significance of the Center?

Are the PD(s)/PI(s) and other personnel well suited to their roles in the Center? Do they have appropriate experience and training? Do the investigators demonstrate significant experience with collaborative activities in the field of infectious disease modeling?

Do they have sufficient leadership and management expertise? If the Center is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approaches, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the Center?

Specific to this NOFO: Do the PD(s)/PI(s)demonstrate willingness and capability to proactively work with other members of the MIDAS network to enhance the MIDAS program's utility? To what extent will the efforts described in the PEDP strengthen and enhance the expertise required for the Center? Does the application propose novel strategies in coordinating the research network the Center will serve?

Are the concepts, strategies, or infrastructure novel to one type of research program or applicable in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of organizational concepts or management strategies proposed? Specific to this NOFO: To what extent will the efforts described in the PEDP meaningfully contribute to innovation?

Are the overall strategy, operational plan, and organizational structure well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the goals of the research network the Center will serve?

If the Center involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, are the plans to address 1) the protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults), justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?

Specific to this NOFO: Will the proposed Coordination Center's approach to collection and dissemination of MIDAS-related resources, such as data, models, software etc., enhance the overall utility of these resources for the MIDAS network researchers? Are the plans for adherence of MIDAS Coordination Center resources to the FAIR data principles adequate? Is there a strong rationale for controlled data access and if so, is the