Advancing HIV/AIDS Research through Computational Neuroscience FOA (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 21 013

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 21 013

The Advancing HIV/AIDS Research through Computational Neuroscience FOA (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-21-013) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity associated with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It uses the R01 grant mechanism and is designed to support collaborative, hypothesis-driven research projects that use established computational neuroscience approaches to address HIV/AIDS-related brain and cognitive outcomes, specifically in the context of substance use or substance use disorder (SUD). While the announcement is framed around computational neuroscience, the central public health focus is on understanding HIV-related neurocognitive deficits and the biological mechanisms (neuropathogenesis) that contribute to them, with particular attention to how substance use may worsen, shape, or interact with these outcomes. The activity category is listed under Education and Health, and the CFDA number is 93.279.

A key theme of the opportunity is true cross-disciplinary collaboration. NIDA is explicitly encouraging teams that pair investigators who have experimental or clinical expertise in HIV/AIDS (for example, neuroHIV cohorts, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, neuropathology, virology, immunology, or related biomedical research) with investigators who bring strong computational proficiency. The FOA highlights computational contributors from fields like statistics, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, reflecting an interest in rigorous quantitative frameworks rather than purely exploratory or ad hoc analytics. The expectation is that funded R01 projects will build on well-established computational strategies, meaning solid theoretical grounding and mature methods such as mechanistic or statistical modeling, multiscale models, machine learning approaches that are appropriately validated, network-based analyses, or other robust computational techniques suited to neuroscientific and HIV-related data.

Scientifically, the FOA targets research that can illuminate how HIV affects the nervous system and cognition and why neurocognitive impairment persists or emerges for some people living with HIV, especially when substance use is part of the clinical picture. Projects might involve computational models that integrate multiple data types (for instance, neuroimaging, cognitive assessments, clinical measures, biomarkers, and substance use metrics) to explain variability in neurocognitive outcomes, identify mechanistic pathways, or generate testable predictions. The emphasis on neuropathogenesis suggests interest in studies that go beyond surface-level prediction and aim to clarify biological processes and pathways, potentially including interactions between HIV, immune activation, neuroinflammation, treatment effects, and substance-related neurotoxicity or behavioral factors. Importantly, the clinical trial component is optional, indicating that applicants may propose projects with or without a clinical trial, as long as the work fits the R01 scope and the FOA requirements.

The eligibility language is broad and includes a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). In addition, the FOA explicitly calls out other 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 government agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility aligns with the FOA’s collaborative intent and leaves room for partnerships across academic, clinical, community, and international settings where HIV and substance use burdens may be significant.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses the grant funding instrument. The original closing date listed for applications is 2020-11-06, and the FOA record shows a creation date of 2020-06-02. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which often means applicants need to consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidance for typical R01 expectations and any institute-specific limits or preferences. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at advancing neuroHIV science by leveraging computational neuroscience in a way that is methodologically strong, collaborative by design, and clearly aligned with NIDA’s mission at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and substance use or SUD.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing HIV/AIDS Research through Computational Neuroscience FOA (R01 - 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 2020-06-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-06. (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 21 013

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