Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01) funding announcement (RFA-DK-16-015). It is a discretionary NIH grant announcement issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11), through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

What NIH grant mechanism is being used?

The funding mechanism is an NIH Research Project Grant (R01). This mechanism typically supports a well-developed research plan led by a principal investigator (PI) with defined aims, methods, and milestones.

What is the main goal of the FOA?

The FOA seeks R01 applications proposing innovative studies on HIV infection, HIV treatment, and long-term health consequences of HIV and its management, specifically where these topics intersect with NIDDK's Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (KUH/NIDDK) mission areas.

Which scientific areas are in scope?

The scope centers on HIV-related research as it affects the kidneys, the urologic system, and hematologic (blood-related) conditions. The intent is to advance understanding of how HIV disease and its therapies influence these organ systems and to generate knowledge that could ultimately improve prevention, diagnosis, or management of HIV-related complications in these areas.

Does the FOA support basic science, clinical research, or both?

Both. The announcement explicitly calls for innovative studies on the basic science and clinical sides of HIV infection and treatment, as well as long-term sequelae. Projects may include laboratory-based mechanistic work, translational studies bridging bench and bedside, and patient-oriented clinical investigations, as long as they align with KUH/NIDDK mission areas.

What does "innovative research projects" mean in this context?

It indicates NIDDK is looking for proposals that go beyond routine incremental work. The FOA emphasizes new approaches, new mechanistic insights, novel clinical strategies, or fresh ways of understanding HIV-related disease processes affecting kidney, urologic, and hematologic outcomes.

Are studies focused on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or other HIV treatments allowed?

Yes. The FOA includes research on the effects of antiretroviral therapy and other HIV treatments, including how these therapies may contribute to kidney, urologic, or hematologic complications and longer-term outcomes.

Does the FOA allow research on long-term outcomes in people living with HIV?

Yes. The description explicitly includes long-term health consequences and sequelae that may appear over time in people living with HIV, especially when those outcomes relate to kidney, urologic, or hematologic health.

What is the role of NIDDK and KUH/NIDDK in this announcement?

NIDDK is the issuing NIH institute for this FOA. The scientific focus is tied to NIDDK's Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (KUH/NIDDK), meaning applications should clearly connect HIV-related questions to kidney disease, urologic health, and/or hematologic conditions.

What is the maximum award amount mentioned?

The announcement lists an award ceiling of $500,000, indicating an upper limit on the award amount associated with this opportunity.

How many awards are expected?

The provided record shows "ExpectedAwards:" but does not include a number. Based on the excerpt alone, the expected number of awards is not specified.

What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.847.

What is the activity category for this program?

The activity category is listed as Food and Nutrition, Health. This appears to reflect NIH cataloging conventions and does not mean the research must be limited to nutrition.

When was the FOA posted?

The FOA was created and posted on November 3, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

The closing date for applications was March 9, 2016 (the record indicates the original and current closing dates are the same).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many common NIH applicant organization types, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional eligible entities as clarified in the FOA's full text.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses as well as small businesses, based on the information provided.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education institutions).

Are government entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations.

Are universities and colleges eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are hospitals, health systems, or research institutes implied as potential applicants?

The description notes that the broad eligibility suggests the program is designed to encourage participation from academic medical centers, research universities, hospitals and health systems, nonprofit research institutes, and qualified private-sector research organizations, provided they can carry out NIH-compliant biomedical or clinical research.

What types of research projects are a good fit?

Projects that are a good fit are those that frame HIV infection and/or HIV treatment in relation to kidney disease, urologic health, or hematologic conditions, and that propose innovative, impactful research plans capable of generating publishable and potentially practice-informing evidence within the R01 framework.

Does the FOA require a specific research approach?

No single approach is required in the excerpt. The FOA is broad enough to include basic, translational, and clinical studies, but the work must be clearly aligned with the KUH/NIDDK mission areas and emphasize innovation.

What should applicants emphasize to align with this FOA?

Applicants should emphasize (1) a clear connection between HIV and kidney/urologic/hematologic outcomes, (2) innovation beyond incremental advances, and (3) a research plan appropriate for an R01 with well-defined aims and methods.