Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 354

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity described here?

This opportunity is an NIH solicitation for R01 grant applications under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-25-354.

What type of grant mechanism is being used?

The opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism and is described as a discretionary grant.

Is a clinical trial required?

No. The NOFO states "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial may be included if it is appropriate for the proposed aims, but it is not required.

What is the overall purpose of PAR-25-354?

The NOFO supports multidisciplinary research at the intersection of HIV and aging. It aims to (1) use the realities of living with HIV and long-term HIV treatment to inform broader understanding of aging and (2) apply modern aging science to improve HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management across diverse populations and settings.

What kinds of research topics does this NOFO encourage?

The NOFO encourages work that directly connects HIV and aging, spanning biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral dimensions. Examples described include mechanisms of aging and age-related decline in people with HIV, long-term impacts of antiretroviral therapy, and interactions between HIV and processes such as inflammation, immune function, frailty, and cognitive change.

Does the NOFO support research beyond biological mechanisms?

Yes. It explicitly includes clinical outcomes and socio-behavioral factors, recognizing that aging with HIV is influenced by social determinants of health, stigma, health care access, mental health, substance use patterns, and other lived-environment factors.

What are the two core scientific objectives highlighted in the NOFO?

First, to deepen understanding of biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral dimensions of aging as they relate to HIV infection and its treatment. Second, to improve HIV testing, prevention, and treatment and strengthen management of HIV-related comorbidities, co-infections, and complications by applying current aging science approaches.

What does it mean to apply "aging science" or "geroscience" to HIV research in this NOFO?

It means using concepts and methods from modern aging research to address HIV-focused questions, such as refining prevention and testing approaches for older adults, improving treatment and care strategies for older people living with HIV, or improving prevention and management of conditions that commonly co-occur with HIV as people age.

What kinds of comorbidities and complications are mentioned as relevant?

The NOFO provides examples of conditions that commonly co-occur with HIV as people age, including cardiometabolic disease, neurocognitive issues, bone health problems, certain cancers, liver and kidney disease, and infectious co-morbidities.

Is the NOFO focused only on U.S. populations and settings?

No. The NOFO emphasizes relevance across different populations and cultural settings and notes interest in work that accounts for diversity in geography, culture, and health system context, including settings outside the United States when justified.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are listed as eligible applicants, supporting international or cross-national work when it fits the scientific goals and NIH policy requirements.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

The NOFO is open to a wide range of applicant organizations, including state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses); eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations. Faith-based and community-based organizations are also included.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The NOFO explicitly identifies eligibility for organizations such as 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 (AANAPISI).

Is alignment with NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) priorities required?

Yes. A key requirement is alignment with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) HIV/AIDS Research Priorities referenced in NOT-OD-20-018. Applicants are expected to use those priorities as a guiding framework for topic selection, significance, and demonstrating how the work advances NIH-wide HIV priorities.

How should applicants reflect OAR priorities in their application?

Based on the NOFO description, strong applications should clearly connect the proposed project to OAR priority areas and explain how the work fills an important gap that matters to the broader federal HIV research agenda, rather than presenting a general "HIV and aging" concept without clear alignment.

Is this opportunity intended for single-discipline projects?

No. The NOFO is designed for multidisciplinary studies and emphasizes bridging disciplines and methods to address real-world questions about aging with HIV and translating aging science into improved HIV prevention, care, and long-term health management.

What kinds of project characteristics are described as competitive?

The NOFO indicates that competitive projects will typically: make a clear case for significance to both HIV research and aging research; specify the target population(s) and setting(s); show that measures and outcomes reflect modern aging concepts (biological, functional, clinical, and socio-behavioral); and present a credible pathway to improving health across the lifespan for people affected by HIV.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) information associated with this NOFO?

The NOFO is associated with multiple NIH Assistance Listing numbers, reflecting cross-cutting involvement across institutes and centers. The listed numbers include: 93.121, 93.233, 93.242, 93.279, 93.313, 93.393, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, and 93.866.

When was this funding opportunity created and when does it close?

The opportunity record indicates it was created on January 8, 2025, and lists an original closing date of January 7, 2027.

Does the posted record specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The posted record does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.

How should applicants think about budgeting given the information provided?

Because the record does not specify a ceiling or expected award count, the description suggests applicants should rely on the detailed NOFO text and standard NIH R01 budgeting conventions, including whether modular or detailed budgets apply, and plan budgets based on scientific need and NIH norms for the participating institutes.

What populations does the NOFO emphasize?

The NOFO emphasizes diverse populations and settings and highlights that HIV and aging outcomes are influenced by social determinants of health and lived-environment factors. It also signals interest in cultural and geographic diversity, including non-U.S. contexts when justified.

What is the central "intersection" this NOFO is trying to address?

It targets research that sits directly at the intersection of HIV and aging, using long-term HIV infection and treatment as a lens to understand aging processes, while also using aging science to improve HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management over the lifespan.