Mechanistic assays on stored samples from the GRASS trial (RFP)

About this program

The Immune Tolerance Network (ITN), supported by NIAID/NIH, is soliciting short proposals to perform novel mechanistic assays using banked serum, PBMCs, and nasal fluid from the GRASS randomized trial comparing sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy versus placebo. Over 80 well-characterized participants have longitudinal samples and linked clinical/mechanistic data (available on TrialShare), enabling studies of mechanisms underlying desensitization and sustained unresponsiveness. Proposals (≤5 pages) must state a hypothesis, include preliminary data, justify sample size with a power calculation, specify minimum sample volumes/cell numbers, and come from laboratories with a strong publication record in the proposed assays; applicants should indicate whether funding is available to support the work. Submissions are reviewed on conceptual framework, significance and suitability; samples are being made available primarily for mechanistic studies (collaborative funding may be possible but is not guaranteed); send inquiries/submissions to Philip Bernstein (pbernstein@immunetolerance.org).