Advancing Technologies to Improve Delivery of Pharmacological, Gene Editing, and other Cargoes for HIV and SUD Mechanistic or Therapeutic Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop technologies to improve the delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, or other cargoes for HIV and SUD or mechanistic or therapeutic research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are participating organizations in this grant opportunity. The grant aims to address the challenges related to HIV reservoirs and the need for effective long-term sustained delivery among people with substance use disorders (SUDs). The development of improved reagents or technologies that enable targeted delivery of reagents to specific central nervous system (CNS) regions or cell types is needed.

Targeted delivery of gene editing constructs, such as CRISPR, to HIV reservoirs has the potential to eradicate and/or disable the virus, leading to a cure for HIV. The grant also emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of substances with addictive potential on therapeutic strategies for individuals with SUDs and HIV comorbidity.

Grant Details
The grant supports milestone-driven preclinical research that will advance the development of new technology or tools to improve the delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, or other cargoes for HIV and SUD therapeutic and mechanistic research. Examples of research projects appropriate for this grant include the development of new technology or tool to improve the delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, or other cargoes for HIV and SUD therapeutic and mechanistic research; nano formulations to reduce toxicity, improve bioavailability, and provide vehicles for sustained delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, or other cargoes to the CNS; strategies to selectively permeabilize the blood-brain barrier for delivery of novel HIV therapies; strategies to identify and selectively target brain cells harboring HIV provirus; strategies to target and regulate neuroinflammation and neurotoxic immune cell phenotypes independent of the HIV status of the cell; research to test and generate evidence for effectiveness of non-opioid pain management strategies in aging adults living with HIV; technologies or tools to optimize HIV and SUD care that minimizes the risks of polypharmacy among PLWH.

Eligibility Requirements
All organizations administering an eligible parent award may apply for a supplement under this NOFO. Eligible organizations include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized), U.S. Territory or Possession entities, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (organizations), foreign organizations including non-domestic components of U.S. Organizations.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 5 years. The open date for submission is October 15, 2024. The earliest start date is November 15, 2024.

Grant Value
NIDA expects to fund four to six projects in FY 2025 totaling $2,000,000.