Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 18 610
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced this discretionary funding opportunity as an R01 research grant focused on understanding why central nervous system (CNS) problems can persist in people living with HIV-1 even when their virus is well controlled (virally suppressed) on treatment. The scientific emphasis is on the idea that HIV-related CNS dysfunction may be driven not only by broad inflammation or general neurotoxicity, but by specific, measurable changes in how neurons communicate and organize: altered neuronal circuits, altered neuronal receptors, and disrupted neuronal networks. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for studies that can move beyond describing symptoms and instead map out the pathways and mechanisms that cause these changes, and then connect those mechanisms to functional outcomes relevant to cognition, behavior, or neurological performance in the setting of treated HIV.
The opportunity encourages both basic and translational research, meaning applications can range from fundamental lab-based neuroscience (for example, synaptic signaling, receptor biology, circuit mapping, or network dynamics) to work that bridges toward human relevance (for example, biomarker-linked mechanistic studies, ex vivo human tissue work, or translational models that reflect virally suppressed HIV). Studies may be conducted in domestic (U.S.) or international settings, reflecting NIH interest in globally relevant HIV neuroscience and in leveraging cohorts, expertise, and resources wherever they are strongest. While the announcement explicitly encourages multidisciplinary teams and collaborative alliances, it does not require them, so a single institution with the right expertise could apply, but proposals that integrate neuroscience, virology, immunology, imaging, computational/network analysis, and clinical phenotyping may be particularly well positioned to address the mechanistic questions the FOA prioritizes.
A key administrative feature is that this is an R01 with a "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" designation. That generally means the application should not propose a prospective clinical intervention study in humans where participants are assigned to an intervention to evaluate health-related outcomes. The FOA is aimed at mechanistic research rather than testing treatments. Applicants typically need to ensure that any human work proposed fits NIH definitions that do not constitute a clinical trial (for example, observational or mechanistic studies without an assigned intervention), and that any translational elements are designed to uncover causality and pathways rather than evaluate an intervention’s efficacy.
Eligibility is broad. In addition to the standard set of public and private institutions, the FOA lists many organization types that can apply, including state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private higher education institutions; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. It also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants 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 (AANAPISIs). Faith-based and community-based organizations are included, as are eligible federal agencies. Importantly, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions are also eligible, reinforcing the international scope of potential research environments.
From the source details, the funding opportunity title is "Altered neuronal circuits, receptors and networks in HIV-induced Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction (R01) - Clinical Trial Not Allowed," with opportunity number RFA-MH-18-610. The sponsoring agency is NIH, and the activity falls under education and health categories, with CFDA numbers listed as 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, and 93.853 (reflecting NIH program areas that may relate to mental health, drug abuse, allergy/infectious diseases, and related research infrastructures). The opportunity was created on 2017-11-07, and the original closing date was 2018-01-08. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided excerpt, so applicants would typically refer to the full FOA text for budget guidance, project period expectations, and review criteria. Overall, the FOA is a targeted call for mechanistic neuroscience research aimed at explaining persistent HIV-associated CNS dysfunction in the modern era of viral suppression, with a clear push toward identifying causal circuit-, receptor-, and network-level changes that can ultimately inform future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies (even though testing interventions is not part of this particular announcement).Apply for RFA MH 18 610
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Altered neuronal circuits, receptors and networks in HIV-induced Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction (R01)-Clinical Trial Not Allowed" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.853.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-08. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the focus of this NIH funding opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary R01 research grant opportunity focused on understanding why central nervous system (CNS) problems can persist in people living with HIV-1 even when the virus is well controlled (virally suppressed) on treatment. The emphasis is on identifying mechanisms and pathways behind persistent HIV-associated CNS dysfunction in the modern era of effective antiviral therapy.
What scientific theme is the FOA prioritizing?
The FOA prioritizes the idea that HIV-related CNS dysfunction may be driven not only by broad inflammation or general neurotoxicity, but by specific, measurable changes in neuronal communication and organization. Specifically, it highlights altered neuronal circuits, altered neuronal receptors, and disrupted neuronal networks.
What types of research questions is NIH trying to answer through this FOA?
The opportunity is looking for studies that move beyond describing symptoms and instead map the pathways and mechanisms that cause circuit-, receptor-, and network-level changes. It also emphasizes linking those mechanisms to functional outcomes relevant to cognition, behavior, or neurological performance in the setting of treated HIV.
Is this opportunity aimed at describing clinical symptoms or identifying mechanisms?
It is aimed at identifying mechanisms. The FOA encourages applicants to go beyond symptom description and instead explain causality and pathways that lead to measurable neuronal changes, and connect those mechanistic findings to functional outcomes.
What activity code/mechanism is this grant?
This funding opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. The FOA is designated as "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose a prospective clinical intervention study in humans where participants are assigned to an intervention to evaluate health-related outcomes.
If clinical trials are not allowed, can human studies still be included?
Yes, human work may be possible if it fits NIH definitions that do not constitute a clinical trial. Based on the description provided, the FOA is oriented toward observational or mechanistic studies without assigned interventions, designed to uncover causality and pathways rather than evaluate an intervention's efficacy.
Is the FOA focused on testing treatments for HIV-associated CNS dysfunction?
No. The FOA is aimed at mechanistic research rather than testing treatments. While the work may ultimately inform future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies, testing interventions is not part of this announcement.
What kinds of research approaches are encouraged (basic vs. translational)?
Both basic and translational research are encouraged. Applications may range from fundamental neuroscience (such as synaptic signaling, receptor biology, circuit mapping, or network dynamics) to work that bridges toward human relevance (such as biomarker-linked mechanistic studies, ex vivo human tissue work, or translational models that reflect virally suppressed HIV).
What are examples of basic neuroscience topics that could align with this FOA?
Examples mentioned include synaptic signaling, receptor biology, neuronal circuit mapping, and neuronal network dynamics, particularly as they relate to HIV-associated CNS dysfunction despite viral suppression.
What are examples of translational directions that could align with this FOA?
Examples mentioned include biomarker-linked mechanistic studies, ex vivo human tissue work, and translational models that reflect virally suppressed HIV, with an overall goal of tying mechanisms to human-relevant cognitive, behavioral, or neurological outcomes.
Does NIH encourage multidisciplinary teams for this opportunity?
Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages multidisciplinary teams and collaborative alliances, although they are not required.
Are collaborations required to apply?
No. While collaborations are encouraged, a single institution with the appropriate expertise could apply.
What disciplines might be especially relevant to a strong application?
Proposals that integrate neuroscience, virology, immunology, imaging, computational/network analysis, and clinical phenotyping may be particularly well positioned to address the mechanistic questions emphasized by the FOA.
Can studies be conducted outside the United States?
Yes. Studies may be conducted in domestic (U.S.) or international settings, reflecting NIH interest in globally relevant HIV neuroscience and in leveraging cohorts, expertise, and resources wherever they are strongest.
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA states that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible, along with regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions.
What types of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, such as public and private institutions; state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are minority-serving institutions explicitly included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for 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 included among eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA indicates eligible federal agencies are included among eligible applicants.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The title provided is "Altered neuronal circuits, receptors and networks in HIV-induced Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction (R01) - Clinical Trial Not Allowed."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The opportunity number is RFA-MH-18-610.
Which agency is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What categories does the opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is described as falling under education and health categories.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, and 93.853.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2017-11-07, and the original closing date was 2018-01-08.
Is the award ceiling specified in the provided information?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided excerpt.
Is the expected number of awards specified in the provided information?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided excerpt.
Where should applicants look for budget guidance and project period expectations?
Because the excerpt does not specify the award ceiling, number of awards, budget guidance, project period expectations, or review criteria, applicants would typically refer to the full FOA text for those details.
What is the overall goal or intended impact of the research supported by this FOA?
The overall goal is to produce mechanistic explanations for persistent HIV-associated CNS dysfunction during viral suppression by identifying causal circuit-, receptor-, and network-level changes and linking them to functional outcomes. Even though interventions are not tested here, the mechanistic insights are intended to inform future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
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