Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) to Build Capacity in Black and Hispanic Communities and Among Black and Hispanic Researchers to Conduct HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic and Prevention Research | Apply Online

Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI) - FAQs

1) What is the Minority HIV/AIDS Research Initiative (MARI)?

MARI is a CDC cooperative agreement program, created in 2003, designed to strengthen HIV epidemiology and prevention research capacity in communities that have been hit hardest by the HIV epidemic. It places particular emphasis on mostly Black and Hispanic communities and on supporting Black and Hispanic investigators working in those settings.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to build long-term, community-grounded HIV prevention research capability and leadership, not just to fund isolated studies. The program is intended to help communities and developing investigators ask and answer locally relevant HIV prevention questions and translate results into real public health impact.

3) How does MARI connect to the CDC's mission?

MARI aligns with the CDC's broader mission to promote health and reduce disease and disability by supporting research intended to meaningfully reduce HIV-related burden, especially in highly affected communities.

4) What are the core goals of the MARI program?

The program describes three core goals:

• Build HIV prevention research capacity in minority communities where comparatively little research has been conducted, using partnerships that connect communities with developing investigators.
• Support career development for new investigators from mostly Black and Hispanic communities through collaboration with CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, including skill-building and dissemination through conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
• Support the development and conduct of limited-scope HIV epidemiologic prevention research projects that are highly relevant to communities disproportionately affected by HIV.

5) Is this intended to fund large-scale research trials?

The opportunity emphasizes research projects that are limited in scope but still highly relevant and actionable. Examples mentioned include case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative research.

6) What kinds of study designs are specifically mentioned as a fit for MARI?

The announcement highlights smaller or targeted designs with clear public health relevance, including case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative research.

7) What makes a project "highly relevant" under this program?

Projects are expected to have clear public health relevance to communities highly affected by HIV. Even if the study is limited in scope, it should be positioned to inform prevention practice, programming, or policy.

8) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity was issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning CDC anticipated substantial involvement or collaboration during the project period, rather than a hands-off arrangement typical of some grant programs.

9) What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?

The funding opportunity number is RFA PS 11 003. It falls under CFDA 93.943 (Epidemiologic Research Studies of AIDS and HIV Infection).

10) How many awards were anticipated and what was the total estimated funding?

CDC anticipated making about 6 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $1,100,000.

11) What was the maximum (ceiling) amount per award?

The ceiling per award was $200,000.

12) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

13) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted on November 15, 2010. The closing window was in January 2011, with an original closing date listed as January 18, 2011, and a current closing date listed as January 21, 2011. The opportunity was archived on January 22, 2011.

14) Is this opportunity still active?

Based on the provided posting information, it was archived on January 22, 2011, which indicates the listing is no longer active in that posted cycle.

15) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included many organizational types capable of supporting HIV prevention research and investigator development. Eligible applicants included:

• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Other minority-serving institutions (for example, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions)
• Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations, including small businesses
• State, county, city/township governments, and special districts
• Federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations
• U.S. territories or possessions
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
• Faith-based and community-based organizations

16) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes both federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal governments, as well as tribal organizations.

17) Could a for-profit entity apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations, including small businesses.

18) Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?

No. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status.

19) Are minority-serving institutions specifically called out?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions such as Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.

20) Does the program focus on particular communities?

Yes. MARI focuses on communities hit hardest by the HIV epidemic, with a particular focus on mostly Black and Hispanic communities, and on supporting Black and Hispanic investigators working in those settings.

21) Does MARI include investigator training and career development?

Yes. A central element is career development for new investigators from mostly Black and Hispanic communities, including building independent research skills, gaining practical experience working with CDC and community partners, and disseminating findings through national conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

22) What types of partnerships does the program encourage?

The program describes partnerships that connect communities with developing investigators to identify and address locally important research questions that reflect the realities of highly affected populations.

23) What kind of dissemination is expected from supported work?

The description emphasizes disseminating findings through national conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

24) Where should applicants look for full requirements?

Applicants were directed to the full announcement for complete requirements.

25) Who should be contacted for technical access questions?

Technical access questions were directed to the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (TIMS) at 770-488-2700.

26) Can an agent apply on behalf of a state or local government?

Yes. The opportunity allowed applications from bona fide agents applying on behalf of a state or local government, but this required a legal, binding agreement documenting the agent status.

27) What is the overall way to think about MARI in plain terms?

MARI is best understood as a capacity-building HIV research program that uses targeted epidemiology and prevention projects as both a public health tool and a training platform, aiming to expand the number of Black and Hispanic investigators leading publishable, actionable research in the communities most affected by HIV.