Mechanisms of Immune Activation and Inflammation: HIV Infection, ART, and Drugs of Abuse (R01) | RFA DA 17 013

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 17 013

This NIH grant opportunity, titled "Mechanisms of Immune Activation and Inflammation: HIV Infection, ART, and Drugs of Abuse (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-17-013), supports research projects that dig into why and how HIV infection drives persistent immune activation and chronic inflammation, especially in people who are also exposed to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and drugs of abuse. The central idea is that even when ART suppresses viral replication, many individuals continue to experience long-term inflammatory and immune changes that can contribute to serious comorbidities. The opportunity specifically encourages studies that clarify the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind these processes when HIV, ART agents, and abused substances interact in the body.

A key emphasis is understanding the biological pathways that link HIV infection to ongoing immune system stimulation and inflammatory signaling under real-world conditions where ART is being used, and where substance use may alter immune function, tissue responses, viral persistence, or medication performance. Projects responding to this FOA would typically aim to explain mechanistic cause-and-effect relationships, such as how specific ART drugs might influence inflammatory pathways, how opioids, stimulants, alcohol, or other abused substances may intensify immune activation or change immune cell behavior, and how these combined exposures affect disease progression, treatment response, and tissue-level damage. The FOA is focused on underlying mechanisms rather than only describing associations, with the expectation that mechanistic insight can reveal actionable targets for intervention.

The longer-term goal of the program is strongly translational: generating knowledge that can be used to develop or refine therapies that reduce chronic inflammation-related complications in people living with HIV, particularly those who use drugs. This includes the prospect of identifying targets to blunt inflammation and immune activation that contribute to comorbid conditions, and also identifying strategies that could restore, preserve, or improve ART effectiveness in HIV-infected populations affected by substance use. In other words, the desired outputs are not just publications, but clearer therapeutic directions that could ultimately lessen inflammation-driven health burdens and strengthen HIV treatment outcomes in vulnerable groups.

The funding mechanism is the NIH R01 research project grant, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven projects led by an investigator or team, generally with a multi-year scope and a defined set of aims. The opportunity falls under the broad activity area of health (CFDA 93.279) and is administered by the National Institutes of Health. The original opportunity was posted on 2016-07-28 with an original closing date of 2016-11-18.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can conduct biomedical and behavioral research. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an intent to draw on a wide range of research settings and expertise.

In practical terms, this opportunity is aimed at researchers who can connect immunology, virology, pharmacology, and substance use research to answer a difficult and clinically important question: why chronic immune activation and inflammation persist in HIV, how ART and abused substances shape those processes, and what specific molecular mechanisms could be targeted to reduce inflammatory comorbidities and improve treatment performance for HIV-infected people who use drugs.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanisms of Immune Activation and Inflammation: HIV Infection, ART, and Drugs of Abuse (R01)" 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 2016-07-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-11-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA DA 17 013

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