Advancing HIV service delivery through pharmacies and pharmacists (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit research designed to capacitate, transform, and scale the delivery of HIV testing, prevention, and care services through pharmacists and pharmacies in US and/or global settings. This includes the advancement of training curricula to enable pharmacy students, pharmacists, pharmacies, and pharmacy systems to deliver the spectrum of needed HIV services with ease, equity, and effectiveness.

Grant Details
The NOFO uses the R21 grant mechanism. The research objectives include advancing pharmacy-based health screenings for HIV alongside screenings for multiple chronic illnesses and common comorbid conditions, creating and scaling models of pharmacy-based HIV PrEP delivery and adherence support, improving access and use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) through pharmacies, expanding the delivery and use of long-acting injectable PrEP and/or ART regimens though pharmacists and pharmacies.
Testing pharmacy-based monitoring and support for antiretroviral treatment adherence is also a key objective. Additionally, the NOFO aims to advance prescription refill synchronization for HIV and other chronic conditions to improve medication adherence and health outcomes. It also seeks to advance integrated services for HIV and other common comorbid conditions or chronic illnesses through pharmacies and pharmacists. Furthermore, it aims to use pharmacists and pharmacies as a vector for engaging youth, pregnant persons, or minoritized populations in HIV testing, prevention, or care.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), local governments, state governments, federal governments, U.S. territories or possessions, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations. Foreign organizations are also eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 2 years.

Grant Value
NIMH along with the participating ICs intend to commit a total of $11,250,000 in FY 2025 to fund 8-12 awards in response to this NOFO. The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.

Place of Performance
Research can occur at performance sites including relevant U.S. and foreign institutions.