Purpose

The Johns Hopkins University Center for Innovative Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases (the Center) is seeking to facilitate the development of novel detection technologies for Point-of-Care tests (POCT) to be used in clinical settings or for home use (over the counter). The targets for these POCTs are limited to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bloodborne infections –particularly bloodborne infections which may be sexually transmitted (e.g., hepatitis, syphilis). 

*In 2026, we especially encourage applications that focus on: 

1. A point-of-care test for syphilis with emphasis on lipoidal (non-treponemal) antibodies including quantitative outputs for diagnosing adult and congenital syphilis.
2. A molecular point-of-care test for detection of bloodborne pathogens.
3. A point-of-care device for processing whole blood into plasma without centrifugation to facilitate point-of-care diagnosis of bloodborne infections.
4. Incorporating Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers in an existing multiplex point-of-care test for detection of a combination of NG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), or Trichomonas vaginalis (TV).

Successful applicants will describe improvements to proposed devices which minimally meet or exceed the current clinically accepted assays (i.e., “gold standard”). The proposed device should have achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) > 3 (greater than proof of concept) as described by CIMIT’s GAITS (Guidance and Impact Tracking System). Technological criteria associated with this domain include development of a prototype(s), supportive experimental results, and institutional IP disclosure. It is suggested that applicants utilize the online Self-Assessment Systems Engineering tool on the JH CIDID website to confirm the TRL of their device.

Successful applicants will describe the developmental goals of their device with relevance to a “use case”. A “use case” is defined by the population of patients who would benefit from the device and the end-user needs for which development is intended. For example, a “use case” could be a public health clinic with limited amount of money available for reimbursement of a test. The end-user needs and support for reimbursement cost could vary based on whether the clinic is inside or outside the US. 

This solicitation is seeking to provide “tactical” awards to accelerate development of both novel detection technologies and novel enabling technologies. Detection technologies are defined as technologies in which the device can identify the infectious agent using a clinically relevant sample. Enabling technologies are defined as technologies which can be used with currently available diagnostic rapid tests to improve and simplify sample preparation or rapid development of new specific reagents (antibodies, aptamers, etc.) for use in existing detectors with potential to be transferred into a health care setting or home use. 

A “tactical” award is directed to a critical experiment(s) which, if successful, would 1) provide preliminary data, 2) enable first demonstration, 3) verify proof of principle/concept or 4) complete a seedling effort to enable organizations to seek additional investments for more robust technology development. These de-risking awards are narrow in scope but should open the path to more robust and detailed development or integration of detection and/or enabling technology. 

Minimum Technological Requirements for Application 

Successful applications will describe the development of tests which minimally meet the following requirements:

1. Affordable. Test should be affordable with retail cost to “use case” not to exceed $30/test, preferably cost of goods < $5.
2. Sensitive. Diagnostic will have a sensitivity of at least 90% of a current clinically accepted assay.
3. Specific. Test will have a specificity of at least 95% of a current clinically accepted assay.
4. User friendly. Diagnostic will have a low labor burden, be CLIA waivable, and include no more than three steps.
5. Rapid. The test will have a sample to result time of less than 30 min, preferably <20 min.
6. No additional equipment needed. Diagnostic will include a low power (battery operated to 120V) reader with little to no sample prep. (i.e., sample-to-answer).
7. Portable. Test must consist of a small benchtop to handheld device < 5lb and be deliverable to those in need. 

Diagnostic Targets 

The proposed POCT can detect single or multiple targets. We are prioritizing the detection of bloodborne pathogens including but not limited to Treponema pallidum and hepatitis C virus, and inclusion of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) AMR markers to existing multiplexed tests targeting NG, CT. While preference is given to the targets named above, we welcome proposals that target other STIs or bloodborne pathogens. Additionally, we welcome proposals for developing/improving a point-of-care device that processes whole blood specimens into plasma. 

A proposed diagnostic test can detect any of the following: 

• genetic or protein-based components of the organism,
• general optical or electrical characteristics unique to the organism, and/or
• surrogate markers with established clinical significance. 

Acceptable Use Cases 

The four use cases listed below are acceptable for proposals if they adhere to the following conditions:

1. Emergency Department in which the average patient visit time is > 4 hr and the proposed test requires up to 120V commercial power with cold storage down to -20^oC possible.
2. Urgent Care or Community Clinics where the average patient visit time is < 1 hr (20 min to be within clinical encounter) and the proposed test requires up to 120V commercial power with variable cold storage possibilities (-20^o C, 4^o C, or none).
3. Home (over-the-counter) testing with an average patient visit time < 25 min with the proposed diagnostic requiring rechargeable battery power and unreliable cold storage below 4^o C.
4. Low-resource setting clinic where patient visit times are < 1 hr and the proposed test must be powered by non-rechargeable batteries and use temperature stable reagents as no reliable cold storage is available. 

Regardless of the target(s) or platform proposed, proposals should limit the work to tasks that can be completed within 6-9 months.

Submissions 

The solicitation and access to the application are posted on the Point of Care Technologies Research Network website. 

Proposal forms and associated PDF files may be accessed at the page link noted above. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Full proposals must be submitted through the POCTRN's CoLab website. Submissions must be time-stamped by the submission system prior to or at the cut-off date and time listed in the timeline above. Please note that all deadlines are midnight EDT. Information that is relevant to your organization’s intellectual property should be marked “Business Sensitive” or “Proprietary.” Classified information or markings such as the word “Sensitive” alone must not be used in any part of the submission.

All interested applicants are required to attend a brief Wednesday webinar to discuss application details and requirements. The following times have been set aside: March 25, April 1, April 8, and April 14, 2026. All webinars will begin at 1pm (EDT). Email CIDID@jh.edu for an invitation. 

Sponsoring Organizations 

All awards will be contracted by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Center for Innovative Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases.

Mechanism of Support 

The Innovation Awards are provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the authority of the parent grant mechanism administered under the Point of Care Technologies Research Network Centers U54. All NIH guidelines, terms, and conditions of award stated in this parent RFA apply to this award opportunity.

Innovation Awards Available 

We anticipate awarding three applicants to this solicitation. Each award will be $100,000 (direct and indirect costs). The Center may award up to three $50,000 subawards with a period of performance not to exceed six months to recipients who successfully complete research milestones for their first award. An awardee may not receive more than $150,000 in a 12-month period. 

Eligibility 

Applications from all domestic sources, public, or private, and non-profit or for-profit, will be considered. Applications from foreign sources are ineligible and will not be considered. Awards under this solicitation may be made only to NIH-eligible applicants. Details regarding specific requirements can be found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of the NIH Grant Awards.

Solicitation Policies 

Please note that secondary subcontracts under this program are not permitted. However, proposals that split the award directly between two institutions are permitted. Each co-applicant institution must submit budget information under the same proposal submission. Proposals accepted for award may be required to provide additional budget information.

Animal studies may not be proposed under this solicitation.

Testing of human clinical samples is permitted. De-identified clinical materials can be requested from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions under existing approved institutional research protocols. The need for de-identified clinical material should be noted in the proposal and associated with a specific task. Both benchtop evaluations and pre-clinical prospective pilot studies can also be requested and budgeted which will be done at Johns Hopkins University. Applicants should contact the Center to discuss use of clinical samples and pre-clinical pilots prior to submission of their application.

General Award Information 

Awardees will regularly meet with Center leadership to review progress and achievement of critical milestones and deliverables. As required POCTRN, the Center will track the progress of awards using CIMIT’s GAITS platform.

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