Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R21) (PA-07-309)

What is the Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R21) funding opportunity?

It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) titled "Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R21)" (PA-07-309). The program is designed to spark early-stage, high-impact research at the intersection of substance use (drug abuse and addiction-related factors) and HIV/AIDS.

What is the main purpose of this FOA?

The central goal is to support exploratory studies that respond to the changing reality of the HIV epidemic, particularly where drug use and addiction-related factors shape HIV risk, transmission, and outcomes. The FOA emphasizes prevention and intervention development that better fits evolving patterns of HIV burden rather than relying on older intervention models that may not address current drivers of risk.

What kinds of research does the FOA emphasize?

The FOA places major emphasis on innovation in HIV prevention and related intervention development in the context of drug abuse. It encourages proposing novel preventive interventions or new ways of delivering or tailoring existing interventions to work more effectively for populations experiencing disproportionate HIV burden.

Are prevention-focused projects specifically encouraged?

Yes. A major emphasis is on innovative HIV prevention (and related interventions) where drug abuse aspects are clearly tied to HIV/AIDS risk, transmission, and outcomes.

What types of interventions are considered relevant under this FOA?

The FOA indicates that behavioral, clinical, or community-level approaches may be relevant, as long as the project is clearly tied to drug abuse aspects of HIV/AIDS and is designed to test new concepts, tools, or strategies that could move the field forward.

How does this opportunity relate to changes in the HIV epidemic?

The FOA highlights shifting U.S. trends, including the growing overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities and women among new AIDS cases, along with the continued importance of heterosexual transmission. It encourages research aimed at prevention approaches that match these evolving patterns.

Does the FOA encourage targeting populations disproportionately affected by HIV?

Yes. The FOA encourages developing or adapting interventions so they work more effectively for populations currently experiencing disproportionate HIV burden, including the groups highlighted in the announcement's discussion of changing trends.

Is international research allowed or encouraged?

Yes. International work is explicitly encouraged. The FOA calls for studies that translate and adapt interventions proven effective in the United States for use in other communities and global settings, and it also encourages learning from diverse environments to improve scientific understanding of HIV and drug-use-related vulnerabilities.

What does the FOA say about adapting U.S.-proven interventions for global settings?

It specifically encourages translation and adaptation of interventions that have proven effective in the United States for use in other communities and global settings, while recognizing that culture, local conditions, health systems, and social contexts can affect intervention success.

Does the FOA also value learning from non-U.S. settings?

Yes. It emphasizes understanding how different environments and cultural conditions influence HIV-related risks, illness, and death in diverse populations, and using those lessons to improve broader scientific understanding.

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant mechanism (R21).

What is an NIH R21 intended for?

The R21 mechanism is intended for early, conceptual, or feasibility-focused research rather than long-term, fully built-out projects. It supports higher-risk ideas that may be too preliminary for a traditional R01 but still have potential to produce breakthroughs, introduce new methods, establish new models, or demonstrate proof-of-concept for innovative interventions.

How should an R21 application differ from an R01-style project?

According to the FOA, applications should be exploratory and clearly distinct from work appropriate for an R01. Projects that are mainly incremental, extend well-established lines of research without a novel angle, or are designed as long-term efforts in a mature area are described as not a good fit for the R21 mechanism.

What kinds of projects are not considered a good fit for this R21 FOA?

The FOA indicates that projects that are mainly incremental, that extend well-established lines of research without a novel angle, or that are designed as long-term efforts to build knowledge in a mature area are not considered a good fit for this mechanism.

What is the expectation for outcomes from funded projects?

The expectation is that funded projects will open up new directions for research or demonstrate feasibility for approaches that could later be scaled into larger, definitive studies.

Is this a discretionary grant and what program area does it fall under?

Yes. Administratively, it is listed as a discretionary grant in the health and education activity space under CFDA 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The information provided states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

When was the FOA posted?

The announcement was posted on January 17, 2007.

Were there multiple application receipt dates?

Yes. The FOA used multiple receipt dates, and applicants were directed to the full announcement for specific cycles and deadlines.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The program was archived on February 2, 2010, meaning it is no longer active in its original form. It may still be useful as a reference for NIH priorities and the structure of similar FOAs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and organizations (including federally recognized tribes).

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement specifies that foreign institutions are eligible to apply.

Can federal agencies apply?

Yes. The information provided states that eligible federal agencies may apply.

Are faith-based and community-based organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The announcement states that faith-based and community-based organizations are permitted applicants.

Where can applicants find the official FOA and full details?

The FOA directs applicants to the NIH Grants Guide link for full details, including application instructions and official receipt dates: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-309.html.

Who should be contacted if there are access or linking issues with the FOA page?

Contact support for access or linking issues is provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.