Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement - Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Program Project Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications Research: Intervention and Cross-Cutting Foundational Research (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced a forecasted funding opportunity titled “Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Program Project Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications Research: Intervention and Cross-Cutting Foundational Research.” This program will be issued under the Program Project (P01) grant mechanism and is aimed at supporting human studies focused on the intersection of alcohol use and HIV/AIDS. The upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is designed to foster meaningful collaborative research that advances interventions and foundational understanding in this field. This notice is intended to allow prospective applicants sufficient time to prepare proposals and partnerships ahead of the official release of the funding opportunity. The NOFO will target research initiatives that can be translated into interventions to reduce HIV transmission and progression, especially in the context of alcohol use. The primary goals include developing systems-based approaches for monitoring alcohol- and HIV-related outcomes like morbidity, frailty, and mortality, and supporting implementation strategies for alcohol interventions among people living with HIV (PWH). Applicants will be expected to align their proposals with the priorities laid out in the NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research and the NIAAA Strategic Plan. Additionally, there is an emphasis on developing cross-disciplinary studies that can inform implementation in both healthcare and community environments. This funding opportunity invites proposals that address a range of topics, such as the pathogenesis of HIV-associated comorbidities and coinfections, behavioral and social factors influencing HIV outcomes, and the development of community-engaged and community-led research models. Special attention will be given to studies that examine substance use, mental health, and structural or interpersonal dynamics that influence HIV acquisition and care, including stigma, discrimination, and resilience. These components aim to support comprehensive understanding and evidence-based responses to HIV/AIDS within diverse populations. The estimated funding available under this opportunity totals $9,000,000, with individual awards expected to range up to $1,000,000. A total of eight awards are anticipated, though this number is subject to change based on merit and fund availability. There is no matching requirement for applicants. The opportunity is categorized under discretionary funding and is supported by the Alcohol Research Programs (Assistance Listing 93.273). The NIH has indicated that this opportunity will be open to a broad set of eligible applicants, including institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit entities, state and local governments, school districts, tribal organizations, and housing authorities. The estimated date of publication for the NOFO is July 1, 2025, with an anticipated application due date of September 25, 2025. Award announcements are expected by July 1, 2026, and funded projects would begin on August 1, 2026. As of now, there is no information about preliminary proposal deadlines or pre-application requirements. The application process will follow standard NIH protocols, and applicants are encouraged to refer to the NIH Office of AIDS Research for alignment with strategic priorities. The contact for this opportunity is the NIH OPERA DGSI Systems Policy Branch, and inquiries may be directed to operasystemspolicy@nih.gov. This is a forecasted opportunity, indicating that while details are available in advance, the NOFO has not yet been officially released. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov and the NIH website for updates and prepare in advance to be ready for the opening date. This grant is not offered on a rolling basis but is anticipated to recur, aligning with federal research cycles and strategic planning updates.