Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials Network (IDCTN)

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance its mission by supporting a cooperative network to rapidly implement clinical trials that meet NIH and NIAID priorities. The network, comprised of the Clinical Trial Evaluation Units (CTEUs) and a Network Coordination Center (NCC), supports the evaluation of therapeutics, vaccines, biologics, diagnostics, and devices targeting infectious diseases, including emerging and chronic infections. The initiative gives the NIH the capabilities to conduct clinical trials and studies for public health priorities, where the timelines of a standard, unsolicited grant would not adequately address the needs of the United States population. The CTEUs provide the clinical infrastructure for implementing the clinical trials and studies. The NCC, comprised of leaders from the CTEUs in collaboration with NIAID, provides the administrative and organizational framework of the network, engages with experts in the field to solicit and generate innovative concepts for advancing public health while mentoring the next generation of clinical trialists. Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.