Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 21 250
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a discretionary grant funding opportunity titled "Deciphering Immune-CNS interactions in people living with HIV on Anti-Retroviral therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-21-250. Using the R01 research project grant mechanism, the initiative is aimed at supporting research that improves scientific understanding of how the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS) interact in people living with HIV who are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART). In practical terms, the opportunity is focused on the persistent neurological, neurocognitive, and neuroinflammatory questions that remain even when HIV is medically controlled with ART, and it encourages studies that can clarify the biological pathways connecting immune activity, inflammation, and CNS function in this treated population. As indicated by "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but a clinical trial is not required, allowing both mechanistic observational work and interventional approaches where appropriate.
The opportunity sits within NIH health research priorities and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.853, reflecting alignment with NIH institutes and programs that support mental health and broader biomedical research. Although the listing does not provide a stated award ceiling or expected number of awards, it clearly signals federal interest in advancing the evidence base in this area, particularly as it relates to ongoing immune activation, CNS effects, and the biology that may contribute to neurologic complications or persistent symptoms among people living with HIV despite effective ART. The emphasis on "Immune-CNS interactions" suggests that strong applications would likely integrate immunology and neuroscience perspectives, for example by examining inflammatory markers, immune cell behavior, neuroimaging or neurophysiological measures, CNS compartment biology, or other translational endpoints that help explain how immune processes influence the brain and spinal cord in treated HIV.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. governmental entities and organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts. Higher education institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal participation is supported through eligibility for Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), along with related categories highlighted in the announcement such as Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized). Housing-related public entities can apply through public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities. The opportunity is also open to nonprofits, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). For-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses, are eligible, and the announcement also includes "Others," indicating flexibility for additional qualified entity types.
The notice explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types to encourage participation from diverse institutions and communities. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Importantly, the opportunity also allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations can apply, which can be significant for HIV research given the global distribution of HIV and the value of international cohorts, partnerships, and comparative studies.
Key administrative details from the source data include an original closing date of 2021-12-07 and a creation date of 2021-08-19. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is health. Overall, the opportunity is designed to fund rigorous research that clarifies the biological links between immune processes and CNS outcomes in people living with HIV who are taking ART, while also encouraging broad participation across institutional types, including minority-serving institutions, tribal entities, community-based groups, U.S. territories, and international organizations.Apply for RFA MH 21 250
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Deciphering Immune-CNS interactions in people living with HIV on Anti-Retroviral therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.853.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-12-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Deciphering Immune-CNS interactions in people living with HIV on Anti-Retroviral therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MH-21-250.
Which grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The purpose is to support research that improves scientific understanding of how the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS) interact in people living with HIV who are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
What scientific problem area does this opportunity emphasize?
It emphasizes persistent neurological, neurocognitive, and neuroinflammatory questions that remain even when HIV is medically controlled with ART, with a focus on clarifying biological pathways that connect immune activity, inflammation, and CNS function in treated HIV.
What does "Immune-CNS interactions" mean in the context of this FOA?
Based on the description provided, it refers to research aimed at understanding how immune processes (including ongoing immune activation and inflammation) may influence CNS outcomes (brain and spinal cord function) among people living with HIV on ART.
Is a clinical trial required?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but a clinical trial is not required.
If clinical trials are optional, what kinds of study approaches might fit?
The description indicates that both mechanistic observational work and interventional approaches may be appropriate, as long as the work helps clarify immune-CNS biological pathways in people living with HIV who are on ART.
What types of research measurements or endpoints are suggested by the opportunity description?
The description suggests integrating immunology and neuroscience perspectives. Examples mentioned include inflammatory markers, immune cell behavior, neuroimaging or neurophysiological measures, CNS compartment biology, and other translational endpoints that help explain how immune processes influence the brain and spinal cord in treated HIV.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.853.
Does the listing provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The information provided states that the listing does not provide a stated award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. governmental entities and organizations, higher education institutions, tribal governments and tribal organizations, housing authorities, nonprofits, for-profits (including small businesses), and other qualified entity types as indicated in the announcement.
Are U.S. state and local governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible government applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Are independent school districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible higher education applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Eligibility includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). Related categories highlighted include Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized).
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant types include public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity is open to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Does the opportunity encourage participation from specific institution or community types?
Yes. The notice explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types to encourage participation from diverse institutions and communities.
Which minority-serving institutions are explicitly mentioned as eligible?
The description lists Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among eligible applicant types.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. Eligible agencies of the federal government are included in the eligible applicant types.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included among eligible applicant types.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The opportunity allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations can apply.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date is 2021-12-07.
What is the creation date listed for this opportunity?
The creation date is 2021-08-19.
What population is the research focused on?
The focus is on people living with HIV who are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART), particularly to understand persistent CNS-related issues despite effective ART.
What kinds of ongoing issues in treated HIV does this FOA highlight?
It highlights ongoing neurological, neurocognitive, and neuroinflammatory questions and the potential biology contributing to neurologic complications or persistent symptoms even when HIV is medically controlled with ART.
What general type of applications does the FOA appear to favor, based on the description?
Based on the emphasis described, strong applications would likely be those that rigorously connect immune activity and inflammation with CNS outcomes in treated HIV, potentially using translational measures that bridge immunology and neuroscience.
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