Role of HIV Infection and Chronic Inflammation in Clonal Hematopoiesis

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a forecasted funding opportunity titled "Role of HIV Infection and Chronic Inflammation in Clonal Hematopoiesis" (RFA-HL-27-001). This notice provides advance information for researchers and institutions to prepare for a future Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The funding program will focus on understanding the mechanisms by which chronic inflammation, HIV infection, and other associated conditions contribute to the development and progression of clonal hematopoiesis (CH), including clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). The long-term objective is to identify pathways for new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to reduce the impact of CHIP on heart, lung, blood, and sleep health in people living with HIV and in individuals with other chronic or systemic conditions. The funding opportunity seeks to address several interrelated goals. First, it will support research that clarifies the biological mechanisms by which HIV-related immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and comorbid conditions like cardiovascular disease, venous thrombosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease influence CHIP. Second, the initiative aims to capture global variation in CHIP prevalence, including geographic and population-level differences, among people living with HIV and those with chronic inflammatory or age-related conditions. Finally, funded projects should seek to define the consequences of CHIP for health outcomes in affected populations, with particular focus on the acceleration of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. Applicants are expected to design research projects that generate insights into the role of CHIP in disease initiation and progression, using clinical, epidemiological, or basic science approaches. The NHLBI emphasizes that this forecast is issued to give potential applicants sufficient time to develop collaborative research partnerships, secure appropriate resources, and design projects that align with the scope of the NOFO. The notice specifies that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to drive the development of prevention strategies and therapies that could ultimately improve outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals. The opportunity is discretionary in nature, meaning applications will compete for funding based on scientific merit and relevance to program goals. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, special district governments, and public housing authorities. Additional eligible groups include U.S. territories, federal agencies, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, and foreign institutions. This broad eligibility indicates NIH’s intention to encourage diverse participation across sectors and disciplines. The forecast indicates that applications are expected to open on April 1, 2026, with an estimated application due date of June 1, 2026. The award date is anticipated to be October 1, 2026, with funded projects beginning on January 1, 2027. At this stage, no pre-application deadlines such as letters of intent have been specified, nor have funding ceilings, floors, or the total program budget been announced. Applicants are advised that matching or cost-sharing will not be required for this opportunity. The NHLBI has provided contact information for inquiries related to this funding opportunity. Interested parties may reach out to the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, Grant Resources, via email for clarification and further guidance. The notice stresses that applications are not yet being solicited and are currently in the forecast stage, which allows research teams to engage early, identify suitable collaborators, and prepare high-quality submissions once the full NOFO is released.

Applications are not yet being solicited; investigators are encouraged to begin forming collaborations and preparing responsive projects.