HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

The HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and primarily coordinated by the Fogarty International Center (FIC). Additional participating components include the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The R21 grant mechanism supports exploratory and developmental research initiatives designed to foster innovative projects in early stages of development. This grant program aims to support research on HIV-associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at institutions within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Its objectives include enhancing research capabilities, investigating the etiopathogenesis of NCDs in persons living with HIV (PLWH), and building regional and international research networks. Projects may explore various scientific domains including basic sciences, diagnostics, aging in PLWH, therapeutic interventions, behavioral health, and integrated clinical care models. Proposed studies must align with the NIH HIV/AIDS research priorities and may involve U.S.-LMIC or LMIC-LMIC institutional partnerships. The funding allows a two-year project period with a total direct cost budget not exceeding $275,000, and not more than $150,000 in any single year. Applications may propose either new studies or resubmissions. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions and nonprofits, both domestic and foreign, with a focus on LMIC institutions as defined by the World Bank. U.S. high-income institutions can participate only as collaborators, not as primary applicants. Collaborating institutions must demonstrate the capacity for interdisciplinary and integrated research and provide evidence of institutional support. Applicants must follow all guidance provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Letters of intent are due on November 8, 2023, 2024, and November 7, 2025, while full applications are due December 8, 2023; December 9, 2024; and December 8, 2025. The earliest start dates for awards are July 2024, July 2025, and July 2026 respectively. Applicants are encouraged to budget for participation in annual program network meetings in Bethesda, MD. Submissions are accepted via NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applications will undergo rigorous scientific peer review. Review criteria include significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and institutional environment. Special emphasis is placed on novel collaborations between HIV and NCD researchers, especially in LMICs, and proposals that offer innovative strategies for diagnosis, prevention, and care. Applicants are expected to include robust data management plans and ensure protection of human subjects where applicable. Contact information includes scientific and financial representatives across the involved institutes. For the Fogarty International Center, Dr. Geetha P. Bansal is a primary contact (geetha.bansal@nih.gov, 301-496-1492). For application support, applicants can consult the eRA Service Desk or NIH GrantsInfo. Successful applicants must comply with NIH's grants policy including requirements for human subjects protections, data sharing, and institutional registrations such as SAM and eRA Commons.