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.Apply for PAR 20 221
- 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.
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FAQs: NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity called the NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional). It is designed to support individual scientists proposing bold, high-impact HIV/AIDS research where substance use disorder, drug abuse, or drug-use environments are central to the problem being addressed.
What is the main goal of the NIDA Avant-Garde Award?
The program aims to fund unusually innovative, potentially transformative research that opens genuinely new directions in HIV/AIDS research related to substance use. The emphasis is on work that could reshape how the field understands, prevents, or treats HIV in populations affected by drug use, rather than projects that incrementally extend existing research.
What does "avant-garde" mean in the context of this award?
In this program, "avant-garde" signals that the application is expected to be substantially different from standard or incremental research approaches. The proposed concept should be unusually innovative and high-reward, with the potential to be transformative rather than simply productive.
Who is this award intended to support?
The opportunity is designed for individual scientists with exceptional creativity who are willing to propose bold ideas at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and substance use disorder or drug abuse.
What types of research are encouraged?
The scientific scope leans strongly toward innovative basic research, but with a clear line of sight to prevention and treatment impact. Examples of encouraged directions include new frameworks, tools, and ideas that could enable improved preventive interventions or therapies, imaginative strategies to reduce or prevent HIV transmission, novel approaches to improve outcomes for people living with HIV when substance use creates barriers, and forward-looking ideas aimed at eradicating HIV or materially improving quality of life.
Does the program require a clinical trial?
No. The opportunity is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required based on the information provided.
How important is novelty compared to extending existing work?
Novelty is central. A key feature is that proposed concepts and approaches should be substantially different from what the applicant or others are already pursuing, with the goal of encouraging new frameworks and ideas that create fresh opportunities for progress.
What problem area does the research need to address?
The research should focus on HIV/AIDS in contexts where substance use disorder, drug-related risk, or drug use environments increase vulnerability to HIV transmission or complicate treatment and outcomes.
Do projects need to align with broader NIH priorities?
Yes. Proposed projects should align with NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities, which provide broader strategic direction for the NIH HIV/AIDS research portfolio.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA)?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is PAR-20-221.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The listing identifies CFDA 93.279.
What is the maximum award amount stated in the listing?
The award ceiling stated in the provided information is $700,000.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2020-06-01.
What is the closing date shown in the listing?
The original closing date shown is 2022-08-15.
How many awards will be made?
The provided information does not specify the expected number of awards. Applicants are advised (based on the listing language) to consult the full announcement for details such as award count, project period, allowable costs, and review criteria.
Is this described as a discretionary grant opportunity?
Yes. The listing describes it as a discretionary grant opportunity from the NIH.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, based on the information provided.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses are listed as eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions and other specific categories explicitly included?
Yes. The announcement explicitly calls out categories including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicant categories.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) entities apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) entities are explicitly included in the eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included in the list of eligible applicant categories.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The listing includes eligible federal agencies among the eligible applicant categories.
What kind of impact is the program looking for?
The program is positioned to support high-impact research that could be transformative, such as enabling new prevention strategies, improving treatment and outcomes for people living with HIV in substance-use-affected contexts, or opening new possibilities toward long-term solutions such as eradication or major quality-of-life improvements.
What should applicants do to confirm details not included in the listing summary?
The provided text indicates that details like the number of awards, project period, allowable costs, and review criteria are not specified here and should be checked in the full funding announcement.
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Previous opportunity: NIH Directors Emergency Early Independence Awards (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 20 221) also looked into and applied for these:
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|---|
| Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 225 Funding Number: PAR 20 225 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Avenir Award Program for Research on Substance Use Disorders and HIV/AIDS (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 224 Funding Number: PAR 20 224 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing HIV/AIDS Research through Computational Neuroscience FOA (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 21 013 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Emergency Awards: Research Projects in SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 039 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Emergency Awards: SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Centers of Excellence (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 038 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interventions to Prevent Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Use Among Adolescents (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 21 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Regional Medical Libraries for the Network of the National Library of Medicine (UG4) Apply for RFA LM 20 001 Funding Number: RFA LM 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 241 Funding Number: PAR 20 241 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 3D Technologies to Accelerate HTAN Atlas Building Efforts (UH2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 042 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 042 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| PrEP for HIV Prevention among Substance Using Populations (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 21 024 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research (K12 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 249 Funding Number: PAR 20 249 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Network of the National Library of Medicine Evaluation Center (U24) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA LM 20 002 Funding Number: RFA LM 20 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $610,000 |
| Aging, Cancer-Initiating Cells, and Cancer Development (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 040 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle-Income Countries (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 037 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Using Human Cell Animal Chimera Brains to Study HIV Latency and Pathology R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA DA 21 026 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Promoting Research on Music and Health: Phased Innovation Award for Music Interventions (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 266 Funding Number: PAR 20 266 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 267 Funding Number: PAR 20 267 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs Program (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 045 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Assay development and screening for discovery of chemical probes, drugs or immunomodulators (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 271 Funding Number: PAR 20 271 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate the Genetic Architecture of Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 276 Funding Number: PAR 20 276 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
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