Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 318
Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-318) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity designed to spark new or expanded HIV/AIDS research that fits squarely within the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) mission. The focus is not HIV research in general, but HIV/AIDS-related questions that directly connect to hearing, balance (vestibular function), taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. In practical terms, the NOFO is looking for projects that explore how HIV infection, HIV-associated conditions, or HIV treatments and prevention strategies intersect with communication and sensory disorders, and how those impacts can be measured, prevented, or addressed.
A central expectation is that proposed projects align with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) HIV/AIDS research priorities. Applicants are expected to frame their aims within those established high-priority areas (for example, improving understanding of HIV pathogenesis and comorbidities, advancing prevention and treatment strategies, addressing health disparities, and improving implementation and outcomes), while keeping the scientific question anchored in NIDCD-relevant outcomes. That means an application should clearly connect the HIV/AIDS component to outcomes such as auditory function, vestibular impairment, chemosensory changes, swallowing/voice issues, speech and language development, or communication participation and quality of life. Projects that are mechanistic, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiologic, or implementation-oriented can be responsive if they remain within NIDCDs scope and clearly map to OAR priorities.
The mechanism is an R21, which is typically used for exploratory or developmental research. That generally signals an emphasis on early-stage, innovative ideas, proof-of-concept work, pilot studies, and the generation of preliminary data that can support a later, larger application. The NOFO is marked "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but they are not required to do so. If a clinical trial is proposed, the NOFO limits support to low-risk clinical trials only. In other words, NIDCD is not seeking high-risk interventional trials under this announcement; applicants should ensure that any trial-like activity is appropriately categorized and fits the low-risk boundary.
Eligibility is broad and includes most common NIH applicant categories: state, county, city/township, and 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. In addition, the NOFO explicitly highlights a wide range of other eligible applicants and community-focused entities, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth is important because HIV-related burdens and communication disorders often intersect with health inequities, and the NOFO leaves room for partnerships and settings that reflect real-world community needs and diverse populations.
From an administrative standpoint, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the activity sits in the Health category under CFDA 93.173. The original closing date listed is January 7, 2028, which indicates a multi-year window during which standard NIH receipt dates and cycles may apply (depending on how the NOFO is structured on NIHs side). The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided source text, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO and NIH budget guidance for R21s to plan an appropriate scope and budget.
Overall, this opportunity is best suited for investigators and organizations with compelling HIV/AIDS-related questions that can move the field forward specifically in the domains NIDCD oversees. Strong applications will make the HIV/AIDS significance and the NIDCD-relevant outcomes inseparable, clearly tie the work to OAR priorities, and, if clinical activities are involved, keep them firmly within the low-risk clinical trial boundary described in the announcement.Apply for PAR 25 318
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is PAR-25-318 trying to fund?
PAR-25-318 (Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity intended to spark new or expanded HIV/AIDS research that clearly fits within the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) mission. The key requirement is that the HIV/AIDS question must be tightly connected to NIDCD-relevant outcomes (not HIV research in general).
Which scientific areas count as "within the NIDCD mission" for this opportunity?
The opportunity is focused on HIV/AIDS-related questions that directly connect to hearing, balance (vestibular function), taste, smell, voice, speech, and language. Applications should keep the primary outcomes and impact centered on communication and sensory disorders and related function, participation, or quality of life.
Does this funding support HIV/AIDS research broadly?
No. The focus is not HIV/AIDS research broadly, but HIV/AIDS-related research that is anchored in NIDCD-relevant outcomes such as auditory function, vestibular impairment, chemosensory changes, swallowing/voice issues, speech and language development, or communication participation and quality of life.
What kinds of HIV-related topics are considered responsive?
Projects may examine how HIV infection, HIV-associated conditions, or HIV treatments and prevention strategies intersect with communication and sensory disorders. Responsive projects may also address how those impacts can be measured, prevented, or addressed, as long as the work remains in NIDCD scope.
Do projects need to align with NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) priorities?
Yes. A central expectation is that projects align with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) HIV/AIDS research priorities. Applicants are expected to frame their aims within OAR high-priority areas while keeping the scientific question anchored in NIDCD-relevant outcomes.
How should an applicant connect OAR priorities to NIDCD outcomes?
The application should clearly map the HIV/AIDS component (for example, pathogenesis/comorbidities, prevention and treatment strategies, health disparities, implementation and outcomes) to outcomes in hearing, vestibular function, chemosensation (taste/smell), voice, speech, language, and communication-related functioning or quality of life. The HIV/AIDS significance and the NIDCD-relevant outcomes should be inseparable in the project rationale and aims.
What grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory or developmental research.
What does the R21 mechanism imply about the type of work expected?
An R21 generally signals an emphasis on early-stage and innovative ideas, proof-of-concept work, pilot studies, and generating preliminary data that could support a later, larger application.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. The NOFO is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means a clinical trial component may be proposed but is not required.
If a clinical trial is proposed, are there restrictions?
Yes. If a clinical trial is included, the announcement limits support to low-risk clinical trials only. High-risk interventional trials are not the target of this NOFO, so proposed trial-like activities should fit within the low-risk boundary described.
What research approaches are considered potentially responsive?
Mechanistic, translational, clinical, behavioral, epidemiologic, and implementation-oriented projects can be responsive, provided they remain within NIDCD scope and clearly map to OAR HIV/AIDS research priorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many common NIH applicant categories, including state, county, city/township, and 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are community-focused and special-designation institutions explicitly included?
Yes. The eligible applicant types explicitly include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Can foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) entities.
Can organizations in U.S. territories or possessions apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Which agency is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the scientific scope tied to NIDCD.
What is the assistance listing or CFDA number and category?
The activity is listed in the Health category under CFDA 93.173.
What is the listed closing date?
The original closing date listed is January 7, 2028. This suggests a multi-year window during which NIH standard receipt dates and cycles may apply, depending on how the NOFO is structured.
Does the provided information state an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO and NIH budget guidance for R21s to plan an appropriate scope and budget.
What would a strong application look like based on the description provided?
Strong applications will tightly integrate HIV/AIDS significance with outcomes central to NIDCD (hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, language, and related functional participation/quality of life), clearly tie the work to OAR priorities, and (if clinical activities are included) keep them within the low-risk clinical trial boundary described in the announcement.
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