NIAID will support research that helps define how HIV-driven alterations to immunometabolism affect immune responses and increase the risk for poor outcomes due to second, potentially long-term infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) or hepatitis B virus (HBV). Through two new notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs)—Elucidating Immunometabolic Responses to HIV Infection that Increase TB or HBV Risk (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) and Elucidating Immunometabolic Responses to HIV Infection that Increase TB or HBV Risk (R21, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)—we aim to increase understanding of these mechanisms in order to identify candidate markers of disease progression as well as potential targets for immune-modulatory treatment to decrease TB and HBV risks in people living with HIV.
While the R01 NOFO (PAR-25-315) supports well-developed applications that can extend up to 5 years, the R21 NOFO (PAR-25-316) calls for applications that support exploratory/developmental research activities that extend up to 2 years and apply to early and conceptual stages of research projects.
Research Areas of Interest
Research topics of interest on HIV immunometabolism and increased risk to either TB or HBV include, but are not limited to:
- Studies of alterations to immunometabolism due to HIV infection and the impact of such alterations on TB or HBV disease progression and/or pathogenesis of Mtb or HBV.
- Defining the role of immunometabolism in cell-cell interactions in HIV co-infection with Mtb or HBV.
- Dissection of multi-omic immune cell profiles and correlates of disease progression during co-infection (HIV with Mtb, HIV with HBV, or HIV with Mtb and HBV).
- Discovery of immunometabolism-associated therapeutic targets or biomarkers of disease progression during co-infection.
To better accomplish those scientific aims, we encourage applicants to:
- Form inter-disciplinary teams to leverage a range of strengths and expertise among multiple investigators.
- Apply novel machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) approaches.
- Utilize existing clinical samples in conjunction with translational approaches including in vitro and in vivo model systems.
NIAID will consider nonresponsive and will not review applications that propose the following:
- Elucidation of immunometabolic changes driven by causes other than HIV infection.
- Exploration of immunometabolic effects of HIV infection without co-infection.
- Clinical trials.
Keep in mind, peer reviewers will assess specifically the extent to which your proposed research addresses the fundamental understanding of biological mechanisms underlying HIV-induced immunometabolic alterations that affect immune cell regulation, cell-cell interactions, response to treatment, and, ultimately, TB and HBV disease progression.
Application Deadlines and Budget
Application deadlines follow NIH AIDS standard due dates, i.e., May 7, September 7, and January 7, by 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization, through January 7, 2028.
While application budgets for the R01 opportunity are not limited, they need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. For the R21 opportunity, the combined budget for direct costs for the 2-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year.
Contact Information
For questions, reach out to Dr. Josh Radke at 301-761-6525 or josh.radke@nih.gov.