Rapid Diagnostic Assays for Self-Monitoring of Acute or Rebound HIV-1 Infection

Phase I and Fast Track proposals will be accepted Direct-to-Phase II proposals will not be accepted Number of anticipated awards: 4-5 Budget (total costs): Phase I: $ 300,000 for up to 2 years Phase II: $ 1 million for up to 3 years Background An estimated 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV, and one in seven are unaware of their infection. As a result, they are not accessing the care and treatment they need to stay healthy and reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus to their partners. A US Government initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic (https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-thehiv-epidemic/overview), and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/national-hiv-aidsstrategy/national-hiv-aids-strategy-2022-2025#) seeks to reduce the number of new HIV infections in the United States by 90 percent by 2030. Part of this goal includes widespread HIV testing to reduce undiagnosed HIV infection and connect people to HIV medical care as soon as possible, which will improve the health of people living with HIV and prevent transmission. The small business innovation program is uniquely suited to reduce HIV incidence in the US because funds can only be spent domestically and not abroad