Advancing Prevention and Treatment of Bacterial STIs in HIV-affected Adolescent and Maternal Populations

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting a grant opportunity aimed at advancing the prevention and treatment of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent and maternal populations affected by HIV. This initiative aligns with the Institute’s mission to promote child health and development by fostering research that addresses critical public health challenges in vulnerable populations. The program authority is derived from the Public Health Service Act and the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act, allowing NICHD to solicit proposals in this focused area. The purpose of this opportunity is to support innovative research, including clinical trials, that evaluates diagnostic methods, assesses the effectiveness and safety of new microbicidal agents, and advances implementation strategies for STI prevention and treatment within HIV-affected youth and maternal populations. By targeting these populations, the initiative seeks to improve long-term health outcomes and reduce health disparities driven by the dual burden of HIV and bacterial STIs. This opportunity emphasizes not only the generation of new evidence but also its effective dissemination and adoption in clinical and community health settings. The funding scope includes support for studies that may involve clinical and translational research, evaluation of diagnostic tools, and the testing of new therapeutic or preventive approaches. Proposals should also consider implementation science to understand how evidence-based interventions can be most effectively scaled and sustained. Applicants may design projects to assess both individual-level health impacts and broader public health implications in affected communities. Applications will be accepted from a wide range of organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, state and local governments, independent school districts, county governments, public housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations, both federally recognized and non-recognized. The opportunity is therefore broadly accessible to institutions and organizations with the capacity to advance this area of research. Individual applicants are not listed among eligible entities. This is a forecasted opportunity, with the posting date estimated for October 20, 2025. The application due date is expected to be January 7, 2026, with awards anticipated to be issued by July 1, 2026. The estimated total program funding is $2,000,000, and approximately three awards are expected. Neither an award ceiling nor a floor has been specified in the forecast, and no cost sharing or matching requirement applies. The estimated project start date is July 1, 2026, aligning with the award issuance timeline. Submission will occur through Grants.gov following the official posting date, and applicants are advised to monitor updates since this is not yet a finalized opportunity. The grant is listed under Assistance Listing Number 93.865, which pertains to Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research. Because this is still in forecast stage, some application details, such as specific forms or evaluation criteria, may be finalized upon the official release. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare early by aligning their research focus with the outlined priorities and ensuring organizational eligibility. For more information, applicants may contact Franklin W. Yates, MD, at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Yates can be reached by phone at 301-827-5536 or via email at franklin.yates@nih.gov. Applicants should rely on this point of contact for clarifications as they prepare to submit once the Notice of Funding Opportunity is officially released.