Innovations to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is inviting applications for Research Project Grants (R21) to advance innovative research to optimize HIV prevention and care. The U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy 2022-2025 articulates bold objectives and strategies to prevent new HIV infections, improve the health of people living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities. Globally, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS aims for HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression rates to be 95%--95%--95% by 2025.

Grant Details
This FOA uses the R21 grant mechanism to conduct exploratory, novel studies that break new ground, extend previous discoveries in new directions or result in novel techniques or models. Applications may include formative basic behavioral and social science to better understand a step or steps in the HIV prevention or care continuum, and/or the initial development and pilot testing of innovative intervention approaches.

The FOA encourages studies that examine multi-level factors that can optimize prevention and care continua success, including individual, contextual, and structural factors. Research topics may include non-intervention research to better understand mechanisms and pathways, studies of novel determinants, interventions, or implementation strategies to support biomedical HIV prevention or treatment uptake, adherence, and persistence, as well as studies of cost and cost-effectiveness of intervention delivery in real-world settings.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments,
Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized), U.S. Territory or Possession entities,
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,
non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (Foreign Institutions),
foreign components of U.S. Organizations.

Period of Performance
The total project period may not exceed 2 years.

Grant Value
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.