NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 221

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 221

The NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed to back individual scientists who are willing to take bold, high-impact swings in HIV/AIDS research where substance use and drug abuse are central to the problem. The program is specifically aimed at investigators with exceptional creativity who can propose work that does not just incrementally extend existing lines of research, but instead opens up genuinely new directions that could reshape how the field understands, prevents, or treats HIV in populations affected by drug use. In this context, "avant-garde" is not a buzzword; it signals that the application is expected to be unusually innovative, with the potential to be transformative rather than simply productive.

A key feature of the program is its emphasis on research concepts and approaches that are substantially different from what the applicant or others are already pursuing. The goal is to encourage new frameworks, tools, and ideas that could create fresh opportunities for progress in HIV/AIDS, particularly where substance use disorder, drug-related risk, or drug use environments increase vulnerability to HIV transmission or complicate treatment and outcomes. Proposed projects should align with NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities, which provide the broader strategic direction for the NIH HIV/AIDS research portfolio.

The scientific scope highlighted by the opportunity leans strongly toward innovative basic research, but with a clear line of sight to meaningful prevention and treatment impact. The program welcomes creative work that could lead to improved preventive interventions or therapies, new and imaginative strategies to reduce or prevent HIV transmission, novel approaches to improve outcomes for people living with HIV (especially when substance use creates added barriers), and forward-looking ideas aimed at eradicating HIV or materially improving quality of life for those living with the virus. While the notice indicates "clinical trial optional," the core message is that applicants are not constrained to traditional pathways; the program is meant to support unusual, high-reward ideas that could change what becomes possible in the field.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity from the NIH under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-20-221, listed under CFDA 93.279. The award ceiling is stated as $700,000. The opportunity was created on 2020-06-01, and the original closing date shown is 2022-08-15. The listing does not specify the expected number of awards in the provided text, suggesting applicants should consult the full announcement for details on award count, project period, allowable costs, and review criteria.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, spanning many types of organizations that can contribute to breakthrough HIV and substance use disorder research. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as other Native American tribal organizations. Higher education institutions are eligible across the spectrum, including public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses may apply. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Overall, the program is best understood as a mechanism for funding unusually original, potentially field-changing HIV/AIDS research at the intersection of HIV and drug abuse. It is meant for applicants who can credibly argue that their idea is not just new, but capable of opening an entirely new lane for prevention, treatment, or long-term solutions for HIV among people and communities affected by substance use.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-08-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $700,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 20 221

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