Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 189

FAQs: Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (PAR 18-189)

What is the Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging funding opportunity (PAR 18-189)?

PAR 18-189 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity using the R01 mechanism to support multidisciplinary research at the intersection of HIV and the aging process. It supports studies that improve scientific understanding of aging among people with HIV and/or apply aging science to improve HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management in real-world settings.

What is the main focus of the program?

The program focuses on research that sits squarely where HIV and aging overlap. This includes work that explains how aging and HIV shape one another biologically, clinically, and socio-behaviorally, and work that uses established or emerging concepts from aging science to improve outcomes across the HIV continuum of care.

What are the two major goals of this FOA?

The FOA is organized around two major goals: (1) improving understanding of aging by using HIV infection and HIV treatment as a lens to study aging-related processes, and (2) improving HIV-related health outcomes by applying what is known from aging science to HIV testing, prevention, treatment, and long-term management.

What kinds of research topics fit under the first goal (using HIV as a lens to study aging)?

Examples described in the opportunity include research that clarifies how long-term HIV infection, chronic immune activation, antiretroviral therapy exposure, and social and behavioral factors interact with the aging process, across biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral dimensions.

What kinds of research topics fit under the second goal (applying aging science to improve HIV outcomes)?

The FOA highlights applying aging science to the full continuum of HIV work: testing, prevention, treatment, and long-term management. It also emphasizes research addressing HIV-related comorbidities, co-infections, and complications that may become more common or more complex as people get older.

Are clinical trials required?

No. Clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose non-trial research (such as observational, mechanistic, or implementation studies) or propose clinical trials when they are scientifically justified.

What does "multidisciplinary" mean in the context of this program?

Based on the description, the program is intended for projects that integrate perspectives and methods across fields relevant to HIV and aging, including biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral dimensions, and that can translate into practical improvements in prevention or care in diverse real-world settings.

Does the FOA emphasize real-world settings and implementation?

Yes. The opportunity specifically mentions improving how HIV is prevented, diagnosed, treated, and managed across diverse real-world settings, and it gives implementation studies as an example of non-trial research that could be proposed.

Is the program concerned with diversity of populations and cultural settings?

Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights the need to study different populations and cultural settings rather than treating aging with HIV as a one-size-fits-all issue.

Does the FOA require alignment with NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) scientific priorities?

Yes. A key expectation is that proposed projects align with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) scientific priorities referenced in NOT-OD-15-137. Applicants are expected to frame their aims so they clearly connect to those priorities.

Why does alignment with OAR priorities matter for applicants?

The description indicates that alignment signals the program is looking for HIV and aging research that fits NIH-wide strategic directions for HIV/AIDS research. It suggests applicants should connect their aims to priorities such as translating knowledge into improved prevention or care strategies, addressing health disparities, and strengthening evidence for interventions that work in specific communities.

What funding mechanism is used?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH R01 mechanism, which generally supports substantial, hypothesis-driven or well-justified programmatic research projects.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. government entities (state, county, city or township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, and public or Indian housing authorities. It also includes federally recognized Tribal governments and other Tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.

Are community-based and faith-based organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly encourages participation from faith-based or community-based organizations, reflecting the community-relevant nature of HIV and aging research and services.

Are minority-serving institutions encouraged to participate?

Yes. The FOA explicitly encourages participation from minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).

Can foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply?

Yes. The announcement allows non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, supporting international or cross-regional work where aging with HIV may look different due to comorbidity patterns, access to care, or cultural factors.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on November 29, 2017.

What is the closing date listed in the information provided?

The original closing date listed is January 7, 2021.

Does the information provided include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. It notes that applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and any related NIH institute guidance for budget expectations and likely award volume.

What CFDA numbers are referenced, and what does that imply?

The funding announcement references multiple CFDA numbers (including 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.361, 93.393 through 93.396, 93.399, 93.853, and 93.866). This suggests that multiple NIH institutes, centers, or programs may be involved, or that the topic spans several NIH funding lines.

What kinds of health issues does the FOA highlight for older adults with HIV?

The FOA highlights HIV-related comorbidities, co-infections, and complications that may become more common or more complex as people grow older, and encourages studying these issues across diverse populations and settings.

What is the overall intent of the program in practical terms?

Overall, it aims to fund research that is both scientifically rigorous and practically relevant: studies that explain how aging and HIV influence one another, and studies that use aging science to improve HIV prevention and care while addressing comorbidities, co-infections, and complications in diverse real-world contexts.