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Continuing the search for answers

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds studies to advance the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), including Long COVID.

The RECOVER Initiative supports a set of complementary areas of research through solicitations known as Research Opportunity Announcements (ROAs), Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), and Notices of Special Interest (NOSI).

Want to learn more about NIH's response to COVID-19?

Read the NIH-wide COVID-19 Strategic Plan

About RECOVER Funding

In December 2020, Congress appropriated $1.15 billion to the NIH to study the long-term effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID. The NIH established the RECOVER Initiative in February 2021, and has since made awards to more than 30 groups, including researchers from hospitals, health centers, and other places. These groups support scientific networks of RECOVER researchers through observational studies, clinical trials, data management, and research coordination.

The initial $1.15B appropriation to NIH funded:

  • RECOVER Data Resource Core (DRC) Biorepository
  • RECOVER data security
  • Electronic Health Record (EHR) digital security
  • Research Management Studies
  • RECOVER Administrative Coordinating Center (ACC)

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about RECOVER funding and how funds have been distributed.

In February 2024, the NIH invested an additional $515 million in RECOVER’s multidisciplinary, large-scale efforts to understand, diagnose, and treat Long COVID. In December 2024, NIH received approval from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF) to reallocate $147 million to support RECOVER’s ongoing efforts to understand, diagnose, prevent, and treat Long COVID.

The additional $662 million in funds received in 2024 will be allocated over Fiscal Years 2025-2029 to support the following research areas:

Current RECOVER Funding Opportunities

There are currently no open RECOVER funding opportunities.

Other RECOVER Funding Opportunities

Review other funding opportunities related to COVID-19 from the NIH and the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Closed RECOVER Funding Opportunities

Description: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for immunophenotyping core laboratory analyses performed in biospecimens collected in the RECOVER adult and pediatric cohorts. The NIH is seeking proposals to perform laboratory analyses of existing samples in the RECOVER biorepository to accurately determine the infection status of RECOVER participants who do not have positive PCR SARS-CoV-2 testing prior to study entry, including participants classified as infected based on WHO criteria without PCR testing, and uninfected controls. As an important component of the RECOVER Initiative, it is imperative to accurately classify SARS-CoV-2 exposure for all enrolled participants and mitigate misclassification in RECOVER participants. The distribution of this research opportunity announcement is limited to sites participating in the RECOVER PASC Consortium. Funding of the projects will utilize NIH’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which offers flexibility and the ability to engage partners in collaborative innovation and problem solving. Please direct all inquiries to: NHLBI_OTA@mail.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications to rapidly advance understanding of the biologic mechanisms underpinning the clinical phenotypes and symptoms of PASC by analyses performed on biospecimens collected within the RECOVER adult, pediatric and autopsy cohorts. The NIH is seeking proposals to further improve our understanding of the clinical manifestations of PASC and the mechanisms leading to the various symptoms, dysfunction of multiple organs and biologic systems, and phenotypes seen in PASC patients. In addition to the topics funded through the original RECOVER protocols and the 45 previous pathobiology ROA and NOSI projects, RECOVER also intends to implement the substudy described in the announcement. NIH will prioritize applications that complement previously funded and planned projects and high-priority research areas indicated in this announcement. Investigators at sites under the RECOVER Consortium are able to work with laboratories or investigators outside of the RECOVER Consortium in order to meet critical research needs or bring in expertise which may not be available at the site carrying the OT agreement. Funding of the projects will utilize NIH’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which offers flexibility and the ability to engage partners in collaborative innovation and problem solving. Applications need to be submitted by March 22, 2024.

Please direct all inquiries to: RECOVERPathBio@nih.gov.

Description: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked for applications proposing clinical trials in people over 18 years old for the prevention and/or treatment of PASC as part of the NIH RECOVER Initiative. The NIH is seeking proposals for clinical trials testing a range of interventions and using diverse methods to address symptoms/symptom clusters and the underlying mechanisms of the pathobiology of PASC. An important component of the RECOVER Initiative is the active engagement and contribution of people suffering with PASC, as well as their caregivers, in the development of the research program. As such, trial proposals should reflect community and patient engagement. Funding of the projects will utilize NIH’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which offers flexibility and the ability to engage partners in collaborative innovation and problem solving. For best consideration, applications should have been emailed by May 19, 2022. Please direct all inquiries to: NHLBI_OTA@mail.nih.gov.

A technical assistance webinar for this ROA was held on Friday, May 6th, 2022.

Watch the Technical Assistance Webinar

Slides from Technical Assistance Webinar (PDF, 1.01 MB)

Summary of FAQs Received by NIH about the Clinical Trials ROA (PDF, 174 KB)

Description: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is planning a new research initiative to characterize the onset, clinical course, and physiology of new-onset diabetes after having COVID-19. The FOA will invite investigator-initiated applications to establish a controlled longitudinal observational multicenter clinical study of individuals who developed diabetes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. One award will be made. The FOA will utilize the U01 activity code. It is expected to be published in late spring 2022, with an expected due date for applications in late fall 2022.

Description: This NOSI was issued to encourage investigators with expertise in PASC pathobiology to apply for supplemental funding to leverage current awards to rapidly advance understanding of the pathobiological underpinnings of PASC, including the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for persistent symptoms after acute infection and/or pathology in multiple organs/systems that has, or will, lead to clinically significant health problems. This opportunity was open to all NIH investigators that met the eligibility criteria.

Resources: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed, including questions about currently funded status, multiple submissions, information about basic requirements, turnaround times, qualifying research studies, and areas of expertise.

Description: This ROA solicited applications to adapt and support a scalable, configurable, and integrated Mobile Health Platform to provide RECOVER studies with customized mobile apps and to enable the secure collection of PASC digital health measures.

Resources: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed, including the initiative's scope, application submission, ROA requirements, and budget. A Technical Assistance Workshop was held on July 15, 2021, with the presentation slides made publicly available.

Description: This ROA solicited applications for the following: a Digital Health Data Repository; an Imaging Data Repository; a Pathology Data Repository; and a Clinical and Observational Data Repository for the RECOVER Initiative.

Resources: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed, including the initiative's scope, application submission, ROA requirements, and budget. A Technical Assistance Workshop was held on July 15, 2021, with the presentation slides made publicly available.

Description: This ROA included three components: a Clinical Science Core to develop and implement master protocols; a Data Resource Core to oversee the collection and sharing of PASC-related data; and a PASC Biorepository Core to establish and maintain a central data repository.

Resources: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed, including the initiative's scope, application submission, ROA requirements, and budget. A Technical Assistance Workshop was held on March 1, 2021, with the presentation slides made publicly available.

Description: This ROA comprised two studies to leverage new and existing processes and data. One study includes people who are newly diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and the other study includes people who have recovered and have new or persistent symptoms.

Resources: Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) were developed, including the initiative's scope, application submission, ROA requirements, and budget. A Technical Assistance Workshop was held on March 1, 2021, with the presentation slides made publicly available.

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