High Priority HIV and Substance Use Research (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has announced a new funding opportunity titled “High Priority HIV and Substance Use Research” under the RM1 activity code. This grant supports transformative interdisciplinary research projects at the nexus of HIV and substance use, aiming to generate innovative findings that advance prevention, treatment, or cure strategies for HIV among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). With a focus on high-risk, high-reward investigations, the grant targets teams of three to six Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) who can collaboratively tackle complex questions that cannot be addressed through smaller or siloed efforts. This funding opportunity responds to the persistent public health challenge where substance use is a major driver of HIV transmission and a critical determinant of health outcomes in people living with HIV. The announcement underscores NIDA's interest in addressing HIV prevention, etiology, comorbidities, and treatment within this population. Applications must be anchored by a single overarching research goal that requires a truly integrated interdisciplinary approach—crossing boundaries of basic science, epidemiology, clinical and implementation research. Projects that merely extend existing programs or focus solely on therapeutic development, epidemiological surveys, or observational studies will be deemed non-responsive and excluded from consideration. Applicants must submit a detailed research strategy that includes preliminary data and an explicit description of how their work addresses the intersection of HIV and substance use. Teams should comprise distinct areas of expertise, and contributions from each investigator must be synergistic and indispensable to achieving the project’s central objective. Clinical trials are optional but must be appropriately scoped and aligned with the NOFO's overarching goals. The proposed projects should also incorporate clear timelines, benchmarks for success, and a strong team management structure. NIH emphasizes the importance of effective team science, recommending inclusion of a project manager or coordinator to maintain communication, decision-making, and data integration. Eligibility is open to a wide array of entities including public and private institutions of higher education, non-profits, for-profit organizations, and government entities at various levels. However, non-domestic institutions are not eligible to apply, though foreign components may support domestic projects. All applications must comply with NIH's application guidance and must be submitted via ASSIST, institutional system-to-system solutions, or Grants.gov Workspace. A letter of intent is encouraged 30 days prior to submission, and applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The funding ceiling is set at $1.5 million in direct costs per year, with an anticipated total commitment of $3 million annually in FY2025 through FY2027 to support one or two awards each year. The maximum project period is five years. Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit and must meet NIH's rigorous standards for methodological integrity, innovation, and alignment with stated HIV/SUD research priorities. Importantly, research and data collection must occur within the United States, though foreign components supporting U.S.-based studies are permitted. Applications for this funding opportunity follow a recurring submission cycle, with AIDS-related application deadlines on February 11 and August 15 each year. The current cycle closes on February 11, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NIDA program staff at least eight weeks prior to submission to ensure alignment with the NOFO's scientific and programmatic scope. For inquiries, multiple contacts at NIDA are listed including Dr. Vasundhara Varthakavi, Dr. Richard Jenkins, Dr. Kathleen Borgmann, and Dr. Raul Mandler. The opportunity remains active through May 8, 2026.

Applicants should ensure their project addresses the intersection of HIV and substance use with a single, integrated research goal. Interdisciplinary synergy, robust preliminary data, and clear plans for communication, management, and evaluation are essential.