GVN’s Center of Excellence (COE) & Affiliate Support and Site Evaluation Program helps research Centers and Affiliates uphold the highest standards in virology, pandemic preparedness, and global collaboration. The program strengthens labs by improving infrastructure, biosafety, and training, ensuring that researchers remain at the forefront of scientific progress. Regular site evaluations also support labs developing their virology capacity, fostering collaboration and innovation in virus surveillance, diagnostics, therapeutics, and real-world applications. 

GVN’s Research Grants and Discretionary Funds provide flexible support for high-impact virology research, emerging scientific priorities, and urgent global response initiatives. These funds empower Centers of Excellence, Affiliates, and GVN Action Committees to drive innovation in diagnostics, sequencing, epidemiology, antivirals, and vaccines, while addressing critical challenges through cross-sector collaboration. With an emphasis on “high risk, high gain” research, they accelerate the development of novel tools and therapies, foster knowledge sharing, and support targeted studies on emerging viruses such as mpox, Marburg, and H5N1 influenza, advancing pandemic preparedness worldwide. 

GVN Action Committees play a key role in this work. They take two forms: 

⋅ Committees formed in response to a specific outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic. 

⋅ Standing committees focused on seven categories of highly pathogenic and emerging viruses—respiratory, retroviruses, oncogenic, arboviruses, hemorrhagic fevers, gastrointestinal, and zoonotic viruses. 

Action Committees bring together members from across the GVN, including academic, institutional, and corporate partners. They meet regularly online to assess viral threats, identify needs, and forge collaborations. Participation is by invitation, though members may also express interest directly to committee leaders via the GVN Intranet. 

Global Virus Network Request for Proposals (RFP)

Closed

Issued: March 2025
Submission Deadline: April 14th, 2025

Overview: The Global Virus Network (GVN) is committed to strengthening global health security and advancing research on viral threats and pandemic preparedness. As part of this mission, we are launching several seed-grant programs to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative tools, methodologies, and frameworks for monitoring, detecting, and responding to emerging viral threats. This initiative aims to enhance pandemic resilience through novel surveillance systems, early warning mechanisms, and rapid response strategies.

Objective: The objective of this RFP is to solicit innovative approaches that address one of these topics:

⋅ Pandemic Preparedness Surveillance: Development of integrated surveillance systems for real-time monitoring of viral outbreaks across human, animal, and environmental sectors.

⋅ Viral Pathogen Predictive Bioanalytic and AI: Development of innovative technologies, including diagnostic platforms for decentralized monitoring of known pathogens and new approaches leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance tools.

⋅ Wastewater Viral Pathogen Surveillance: Development of a comprehensive screening panel for key pathogens in wastewater, along with predictive software that provides recommendations based on pathogen detection thresholds and practical approaches for effective implementation.

Eligibility: Proposals are open to any members from GVN scientific sites (Centers of Excellence or Affiliates).

Funding Available: GVN anticipates awarding multiple seed grants for projects that demonstrate scientific merit, feasibility, and scalability. Proposed budgets should include cost estimates and justification, with a focus on maximizing scientific return on investment. The individual sites can request up to $30,000 USD.

Proposal Requirements: All proposals must include the following elements in a cover note listing the title, institution(s), and investigators. The proposal must be no more than 1400 words (Arial 12pt font):

⋅ Project Overview: Clear description of the project’s goals, methodology, and outcomes.

⋅ Scientific Approach: Explanation of the scientific basis and novelty of the proposed work.

⋅ Impact: The potential impact of the project on pandemic preparedness and surveillance.

⋅ Timeline: A clear timeline of milestones and deliverables for the proposed project.

⋅ Budget: A budget with justifications.

⋅ Team Composition: A list of team members, their qualifications, and relevant experience.

⋅ Sustainability Plan: Plans for the continuation of project outcomes beyond the grant period.

Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

⋅ Scientific innovation and novelty.

⋅ Feasibility and scalability of the proposed approach.

⋅ Impact on pandemic preparedness and surveillance systems.

Submission: Closed