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This NOFO will solicit R01 applications that propose studies in animal, cell culture, and/or human tissue models to elucidate the mechanisms by which COVID-19 interacts with and/or modulates AD/ADRD-relevant phenotypes. Either the model itself or the experimental readouts will be required to incorporate AD/ADRD risk factors, pathologies, or relevant comorbidities. To this end, proposals can focus on one or more of the following: - Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 impacts CNS pathology and cognitive outcomes when AD/ADRD pathology is already present (for example, in a model of AD/ADRD). - Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 accelerates AD/ADRD pathology and cognitive deficits in a prodromal model (early phase, pre-symptomatic). - Mechanistic studies that address how COVID-19 predisposes for AD/ADRD and/or interacts with relevant comorbid conditions and risk factors (cellular mechanisms that could potentially increase the risk for future AD/ADRD).

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be the source of much mortality and morbidity creating and contributing to both physical and mental health issues. Recent data suggest that over 825,000 individuals have died from COVID-19 in the United States including over 8600 deaths in the week ending January 5, 2022.However, the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the associated measures to prevent and treat this infection extend well beyond the issue of mortality. Although much needed information regarding the epidemiology, transmission and potential acute treatments including the development of an effective vaccine have been gleaned in unprecedented time, important issues remain to be elucidated including, but not limited to the effect of the virus and its therapy on menstrual health, fertility and the offspring of infected and/or vaccinated parents, the impact of the relatively recent Delta and Omicron variants and other emerging variants, the occurrence of viral co-infections and the many physical and mental health issues created by the pandemic itself.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide an avenue for researchers to pursue funding to conduct research addressing these emerging and existing COVID-related issues. The goal of this NOSI is to not replace or compete with the various COVID-related funding opportunities currently available, but rather, to complement them by offering a funding opportunity to address key issues not currently covered by available COVID-related funding announcements among pregnant and lactating people, infants, children and adolescents in a most timely manner. Research projects addressing issues that are the focus of currently available or future COVID funding opportunity announcements will be encouraged to submit to those announcements. Also, the sharing of COVID related data and resources and effective communication of results are a high priority of the NIH. Applicants responding to this NOSI are strongly encouraged to describe plans for rapid sharing of data and results as well as innovative data analytics approaches.