HIV Treatment Adherence Research (R03) | Apply Online

FAQs: HIV Treatment Adherence Research (R03) - PA-07-339

What is the PA-07-339 funding opportunity?

PA-07-339 is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity titled "HIV Treatment Adherence Research (R03)." It supports research focused on improving adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) in real-world settings, with particular attention to behavioral, mental health, substance use, and social factors that influence whether people start, continue, and consistently follow treatment.

Which NIH institutes lead this opportunity?

This opportunity is led by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

What is the main goal of this program?

The core aim is to move the science of HIV treatment adherence forward by generating actionable evidence about why adherence breaks down and what practical strategies can improve consistent medication use and related health outcomes.

What kinds of research topics fit this FOA?

Projects that fit include research and interventions that help people with HIV:

• Start antiretroviral therapy (ART)
• Maintain ART over time
• Follow ART consistently in real-world settings

The scientific emphasis includes studying behavioral, mental health, substance use, and social factors that shape adherence, as well as testing practical approaches to improve adherence.

What grant mechanism does PA-07-339 use?

PA-07-339 uses the NIH Small Research Grant mechanism (R03), which is designed for smaller, focused projects rather than large, full-scale multi-year trials.

What types of projects are especially well-suited to an R03 under this FOA?

Based on the description provided, the R03 mechanism here is well-suited for:

• Pilot studies and feasibility studies to test whether an adherence idea or approach is workable
• Secondary analyses of existing datasets to answer adherence-related questions without collecting entirely new data
• Compact, self-contained projects that can be completed with limited budget and scope

Does this opportunity support methods development or research technology development?

Yes. It explicitly supports the development of research methods and the creation or refinement of new research technologies relevant to studying or improving adherence, including measurement approaches, tools, or processes that strengthen adherence science.

How does PA-07-339 relate to other NIH opportunities in the same area?

PA-07-339 is part of a coordinated set of NIH funding opportunities covering similar HIV treatment adherence science but using different grant mechanisms. Parallel opportunities include:

• R01 version: PA-07-338 (full-scale research projects)
• R21 version: PA-07-340 (exploratory/developmental studies)
• R34 version: PAR-07-341 (early-stage mental health interventions and services research)

The practical takeaway is that applicants can align project size and maturity to the mechanism that best fits their work, while noting that participating NIH organizations may differ across the parallel announcements.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes domestic and international organizations. Eligible applicants include:

• State, county, city/township, and special district governments
• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Public and state-controlled universities
• Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), other than institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
• Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations
• For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses
• Other entities as described in the full announcement

Are foreign institutions allowed to apply?

Yes. Foreign institutions are explicitly eligible to apply, supporting adherence research in global contexts where treatment programs and adherence barriers may differ.

Is this opportunity focused only on clinical adherence behavior, or does it include related factors like mental health and substance use?

It includes related factors. The opportunity emphasizes understanding and addressing behavioral, mental health, substance use, and social influences on adherence, reflecting the overlap between adherence challenges and mental health or drug use issues.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this program?

The program is listed under CFDA:

• 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants)
• 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs)

When was the opportunity posted, and does it have a single deadline?

The posting date was March 27, 2007. The opportunity used multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline, meaning applications were accepted on standard NIH cycles as specified in the full announcement.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The listing was archived, with an archive date of February 7, 2010. The archived notice directed applicants to the NIH full announcement webpage for complete requirements and submission details.

Where should applicants look for complete requirements and submission details?

Applicants were directed to the NIH full announcement webpage for complete requirements and submission details.

What is the best overall way to think about PA-07-339?

It is a targeted, small-grant pathway for testing and sharpening ideas that can improve HIV treatment adherence, especially where mental health and drug abuse factors intersect with consistent medication use. It is intended to generate early or focused evidence, build methods and tools, and lay groundwork for larger studies under mechanisms such as R01, R21, or R34.