Pilot and Feasibility Studies of HIV and Animal Models for HIV Infection within the Mission of NIDDK (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 615

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 615

The grant opportunity titled "Pilot and Feasibility Studies of HIV and Animal Models for HIV Infection within the Mission of NIDDK (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-615) is an NIH discretionary grant that uses the R21 mechanism to support early-stage, exploratory research. It is aimed at innovative basic and translational pilot projects that deepen understanding of HIV infection, HIV persistence, and HIV-related comorbidities specifically in ways that align with the mission areas of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). In practical terms, the FOA is looking for research that connects HIV science to diseases and systems NIDDK focuses on, including diabetes and other endocrine/metabolic conditions, digestive and liver diseases, nutrition and obesity, and kidney and urologic diseases. The announcement also indicates that projects should be consistent with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) scientific priorities described in NOT-OD-15-137, meaning applications are expected to fit within broader NIH HIV/AIDS research priority frameworks rather than operating as stand-alone HIV studies disconnected from those priorities.

This FOA emphasizes pilot and feasibility work, which generally means smaller, high-impact studies that can generate convincing preliminary data, test novel hypotheses, validate models, or establish proof-of-concept for new directions. The focus on HIV and animal models for HIV infection signals that model development, model refinement, and model-based mechanistic studies are central to the opportunity, particularly where those models help clarify how HIV drives, worsens, or interacts with NIDDK-relevant conditions. The scope includes both fundamental biology and translational work, so responsive projects could range from mechanisms of viral persistence that influence metabolic or renal outcomes, to inflammatory pathways linking chronic HIV infection to liver or kidney injury, to interventions or strategies that might reduce HIV-associated comorbidity risks. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants are allowed, but not required, to propose a clinical trial component if it fits the aims; however, the overall framing of pilot and feasibility studies suggests the program is primarily geared toward early, enabling steps rather than large confirmatory trials.

From an administrative standpoint, the awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the program is categorized under health-related funding activity areas, with CFDA number 93.847. The funding instrument is a grant. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, which indicates an upper limit on support under this announcement (typically interpreted in the context of the R21 budget structure and NIH policy). The opportunity was created on 2018-02-01, and the original closing date provided in the source information is 2021-01-07, indicating the timeline for submissions under that posting as captured in the dataset.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also welcomes nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, it explicitly highlights other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, this eligibility language signals an intention to attract a diverse range of institutions and community-connected entities, including those serving populations disproportionately affected by HIV and its comorbidities, and to support research capacity across varied settings.

Overall, PA-18-615 supports short, innovative, and enabling studies that use HIV research and HIV-relevant animal models to answer questions that matter to NIDDK disease areas, with alignment to NIH-wide HIV/AIDS priorities. The intent is to seed new lines of investigation, strengthen translational relevance, and generate the kinds of preliminary findings that can justify larger future studies, while keeping the work tightly connected to HIV persistence and comorbidities that fall within NIDDKs scientific mission.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot and Feasibility Studies of HIV and Animal Models for HIV Infection within the Mission of NIDDK (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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