Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 061
The Innovations to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (PAR 23-061) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant focused on advancing innovative research that can improve outcomes across the HIV prevention and care continuum. It is aligned specifically with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Division of AIDS Research (DAR) priorities, emphasizing work that meaningfully strengthens how people move through key HIV prevention and care steps, from prevention engagement through sustained treatment and long-term health outcomes.
This FOA supports early-stage, high-impact projects that either build foundational knowledge or test new approaches. On the foundational side, applicants can propose formative behavioral and social science research designed to better understand barriers and facilitators at one or more points in the continuum (for example, factors influencing uptake of prevention tools, linkage to care, retention in care, or medication adherence). On the applied side, it also encourages the initial development and pilot testing of innovative interventions that could improve prevention and care outcomes. Because it is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," a project may include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required, allowing both non-trial and trial-based pilot work depending on the research question and design.
A notable feature of the announcement is its explicit encouragement for applicants to consult NIMH DAR Notices of Special Interests (NOSIs). These NOSIs can help applicants align proposed aims with the Division's current scientific priorities and highlight particular populations, settings, mechanisms, or emerging themes that NIMH DAR is especially interested in supporting. In practical terms, an applicant would use the NOSIs to sharpen the rationale for why a proposed innovation fits the Institute's near-term priorities and addresses an important gap.
The grant uses the R21 mechanism, which is typically aimed at exploratory and developmental research. The listed award ceiling is $275,000, signaling that the program is geared toward smaller, focused projects such as feasibility studies, pilot interventions, proof-of-concept work, and targeted formative research that can justify a larger subsequent study. The activity area is health, and the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number associated with the opportunity is 93.242.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. governmental entities and education institutions, along with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education. In addition, the FOA explicitly calls out other eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal government agencies; Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), which expands the applicant pool beyond typical domestic academic and nonprofit settings.
Key administrative details include an original closing date of 2026-01-09 and a creation date of 2023-01-10. While the expected number of awards is not specified in the provided source data, the opportunity is clearly positioned as a competitive NIH grant program intended to seed innovative, publishable, and scalable research that can strengthen HIV prevention and care continuum outcomes in ways consistent with NIMH DAR's mission and current priorities.Apply for PAR 23 061
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovations to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $275,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of the Innovations to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes opportunity (PAR 23-061)?
This funding opportunity supports innovative research intended to improve outcomes across the HIV prevention and care continuum. It focuses on strengthening how people move through key steps, from prevention engagement through sustained treatment and long-term health outcomes, in alignment with National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Division of AIDS Research (DAR) priorities.
Which agency and institute are associated with this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity and is aligned specifically with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Division of AIDS Research (DAR).
What does "HIV prevention and care continuum" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this announcement, the continuum refers to the sequence of steps and outcomes that include prevention engagement and uptake, linkage to care, retention in care, medication adherence, and sustained treatment leading to longer-term health outcomes.
What types of projects does this FOA support?
The FOA supports early-stage, high-impact work. This includes (1) foundational formative behavioral and social science research to understand barriers and facilitators at one or more points in the continuum, and (2) initial development and pilot testing of innovative interventions designed to improve prevention and care outcomes.
What is meant by "foundational" research under this opportunity?
Foundational work may include formative behavioral and social science research designed to better understand why people do or do not engage in prevention and care steps, such as factors affecting uptake of prevention tools, linkage to care, retention in care, or medication adherence.
What is meant by "applied" research under this opportunity?
Applied work, as described here, includes the initial development and pilot testing of innovative interventions that could improve HIV prevention and care continuum outcomes.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is labeled "R21 Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a project may include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required.
If clinical trials are optional, what kind of study designs might fit?
Based on the description provided, both non-trial formative studies (for example, research identifying barriers and facilitators) and trial-based pilot studies (for example, initial testing of an intervention) may be appropriate, depending on the research question and design.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory and developmental research.
What kinds of projects are typically suited to an R21?
The announcement characterizes the R21 as supporting smaller, focused projects such as feasibility studies, pilot interventions, proof-of-concept work, and targeted formative research that can justify a larger subsequent study.
What is the award ceiling for this grant?
The listed award ceiling is $275,000.
Is the expected number of awards known?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with the opportunity is 93.242.
What is the activity area for this grant?
The activity area is health.
What is the closing date for applications?
The original closing date provided is 2026-01-09.
When was this opportunity created?
The creation date provided is 2023-01-10.
How does this FOA relate to NIMH DAR priorities?
The FOA is explicitly aligned with NIMH DAR priorities and emphasizes research that meaningfully strengthens progression through key HIV prevention and care steps, improving outcomes across the continuum.
What are NIMH DAR Notices of Special Interests (NOSIs), and why are they mentioned?
The FOA explicitly encourages applicants to consult NIMH DAR Notices of Special Interests (NOSIs). The NOSIs can help applicants align proposed aims with current scientific priorities and can highlight specific populations, settings, mechanisms, or emerging themes that NIMH DAR is especially interested in supporting.
How can NOSIs help an applicant in practical terms?
As described, NOSIs can be used to sharpen the rationale for why a proposed innovation fits near-term NIMH DAR priorities and to demonstrate how the project addresses an important gap.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include many types of U.S. governmental entities and education institutions, along with nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The FOA also includes eligibility for additional organization types, including certain minority-serving institutions, community-based organizations, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
Are state and local governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.
Are school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible if they are not small businesses?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are also listed as eligible. The FOA additionally calls out Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly called out as eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly lists Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) as eligible applicants.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are included in the eligibility list.
Are federal government agencies eligible?
Yes. Eligible federal government agencies are explicitly listed.
What is the general intent of the funding (based on the description provided)?
The opportunity is positioned as a competitive NIH program intended to seed innovative, publishable, and scalable research that can strengthen HIV prevention and care continuum outcomes in ways consistent with NIMH DAR's mission and current priorities.
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