Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01) opportunity (PAR-15-280)?

PAR-15-280 is an NIH discretionary funding opportunity using the R01 grant mechanism to support research on how HIV and aging interact. The emphasis is on improving scientific understanding of HIV infection, HIV-associated conditions, and HIV treatment as people grow older, including biological, behavioral, and social factors shaping outcomes for older adults living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central goal is to deepen understanding of HIV and aging together, including how long-term HIV infection and long-term antiretroviral therapy intersect with aging processes, functional status, quality of life, and health systems barriers for older adults.

What does "multidisciplinary" mean in this FOA?

It means projects may combine perspectives and methods across multiple fields, such as medicine, public health, behavioral and social sciences, nursing, mental health, substance use research, and other relevant disciplines. The intent is to address complex, real-world questions about aging with HIV that benefit from more than one lens or approach.

What kinds of research topics are considered responsive?

Responsive projects can focus on HIV itself, conditions occurring alongside HIV (comorbidities and complications), the effects and optimization of HIV therapies in later life, and broader biobehavioral or social influences. Examples mentioned include prevention, care engagement, adherence, stigma, mental health, substance use, sleep, cancer risks, cardiovascular and pulmonary issues, neurological outcomes, and other age-related concerns in the context of HIV and aging.

Is the opportunity limited to biological or medical studies?

No. The scope explicitly includes biological, behavioral, and social factors. The announcement supports studies addressing clinical, translational, observational, intervention, and broader biobehavioral or social determinants that affect health outcomes for older adults living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Does the FOA specifically require the research to involve older adult populations?

The scope explicitly supports work situated in the context of aging and/or conducted in older adult populations. It recognizes that older people with HIV may experience different disease patterns, treatment responses, and healthcare needs than younger populations.

Can projects focus on long-term antiretroviral therapy and aging?

Yes. The opportunity notes that research can explore how long-term HIV infection and long-term antiretroviral therapy intersect with aging processes, functional status, quality of life, and barriers within health systems.

What research approaches does the FOA welcome?

The announcement is intentionally broad and welcomes multiple approaches, including clinical translational studies (moving findings between basic mechanisms and patient care), observational studies (characterizing risks, trajectories, and outcomes in real-world populations), and intervention studies (testing strategies to improve prevention, treatment, adherence, comorbidity management, or supportive services for aging individuals and communities).

Are intervention studies allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Intervention studies are explicitly included, particularly those that test strategies to improve prevention, treatment, adherence, comorbidity management, or supportive services relevant to aging individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

Are observational or real-world population studies supported?

Yes. Observational studies that characterize risks, trajectories, and outcomes in real-world populations are highlighted as a welcome approach under this opportunity.

Are clinical translational studies considered a good fit?

Yes. The FOA highlights clinical translational studies that move findings between basic mechanisms and patient care, consistent with understanding and improving outcomes for older adults in the context of HIV and aging.

Can research be conducted outside the United States?

Yes. Studies may be conducted in domestic (U.S.) or international settings, allowing applicants to address aging with HIV across diverse healthcare systems, cultural contexts, and epidemic patterns.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which generally supports substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects.

Does this program require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The FOA states that it does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on October 8, 2018. It had an original and current closing date of September 7, 2018, and it is no longer open for new applications under that specific announcement.

When was the announcement posted and created?

The opportunity was posted and created on June 18, 2015.

What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date listed for the announcement was September 7, 2018.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the archived announcement was hosted through the NIH Grants Guide.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many organizations that conduct research, including public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without that status, other than universities); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and various government entities and public authorities.

Are government entities eligible applicants?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; tribal governments; and tribal organizations (including federally recognized and other tribal entities).

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes tribal governments and tribal organizations, including federally recognized tribes and other tribal entities, as eligible applicants.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits, are listed as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofits are included, including both 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without that status (other than universities).

Are community-based and faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA lists faith-based and community-based organizations among additional eligible applicants.

Are historically underrepresented or mission-focused institutions included in eligibility?

Yes. The FOA lists examples such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicants.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants, and it also references eligibility for regional organizations.

What subject areas or program areas are associated with this announcement?

The announcement is associated with multiple CFDA program areas spanning complementary and integrative health, sleep disorders research, mental health, alcohol and substance use, nursing research, cancer research categories, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, blood and musculoskeletal/skin conditions, neuroscience and neurological disorders, allergy and infectious diseases, microbiology, and aging research.

Why are there so many CFDA associations listed?

The wide range of CFDA associations reflects the program's multidisciplinary nature and the reality that aging with HIV often involves multiple body systems, comorbid conditions, and intersecting behavioral and social determinants of health.

Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full archived announcement was hosted through the NIH Grants Guide.

Who was listed for help with access issues related to the electronic announcement?

For access issues related to the electronic announcement, the source information referenced NIH's Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact.