The threat of the emergence of infectious disease epidemics continues to concern policymakers and public health services. Better data is needed in terms of knowledge and tools to improve our knowledge of the emergence, surveillance, and detection of events alone along with knowledge on how to prevent these events. In order to complete these efforts, scientists need to be able to collect, analyze, and interpret the relevant data by developing models to guide the collection of further data. In May 2004, the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS) within NIH established the Models of Infectious Disease Study (MIDAS) to meet the needs for information within the infectious disease modeling community.
On April 12, 2013, NIGMS issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) (RFA-GM-14-008) with $2.8 million to establish an “Information Technology Resource” to support, modify, and extend the network of scientists conducting computational and mathematical research to identify, detect, control, and prevent emerging infectious diseases.
The Information Technology Resource” will act in partnership with the MIDAS Centers of Excellence and research groups by:
- Providing the infrastructure and resources for testing software
- Collecting, managing, and generating data relevant to pathogens, hosts, vectors, climate, genetics, immunity, and other factors.
- Disseminating relevant information to the scientific community
- Providing logistical support for MIDAS activities
Organizations eligible to apply for funding includes institutes of higher education, non profits, for-profits, small businesses, state, county or local governments, and others. Applications are due July 18, 2013
Go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-14-008.html for more information.