Interventions for Stigma Reduction to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The funding opportunity titled "Interventions for Stigma Reduction to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the Fogarty International Center (FIC) in collaboration with various other NIH institutes. This reissue (PAR-23-190) builds upon a prior funding opportunity (PAR-21-344) and aims to support research efforts directed at addressing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Participating organizations include FIC, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIDA, NIMH, NCI, and NICHD, with each bringing a particular research focus. This initiative focuses on intervention research to reduce stigma and improve HIV/AIDS health outcomes. Funded projects are expected to develop and test strategies for stigma reduction that encourage care-seeking behaviors, improve treatment adherence, and reduce HIV transmission. Target groups include adolescents, youth, caregivers, and key populations such as sex workers, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men. The grant also encourages the development of improved measurement tools for stigma, especially in the context of intervention implementation. Projects must be situated within LMICs, with a strong encouragement for collaborations between U.S. and LMIC-based researchers. Funding will support exploratory/developmental projects through the small R01 grant mechanism, providing up to $400,000 in direct costs over a three-year period, with no more than $200,000 in any one year. While preliminary data are not required, applicants must present a strong rationale backed by literature. The research must align with NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities and be feasible within the local context of the LMICs, while also helping to build sustainable research capacity in these settings. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations (both U.S. and foreign), and other specified organizations. Institutions from high-income countries (except the U.S.) are generally not eligible unless they serve as consultants. All applicant institutions must complete standard registrations including SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Letters of intent are encouraged but not mandatory, and application deadlines are December 20, 2023, December 20, 2024, and December 22, 2025. The application must adhere strictly to NIH guidelines as outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Detailed instructions include crafting a research strategy that outlines the stigma-related problem in the LMIC setting, proposed interventions, outcome measures, and a plan for collaboration and capacity building. Applications will be reviewed based on criteria such as significance, innovation, investigator qualifications, and feasibility within the LMIC context. Specific contacts for scientific and administrative inquiries are provided across participating NIH institutes. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow for error correction. The updated expiration date for this funding opportunity is May 24, 2025. For inquiries, prospective applicants can contact Dr. Geetha Bansal at geetha.bansal@nih.gov or any of the listed NIH contacts based on the relevant institute.