Two Opportunities to Join NIH’s Centers for AIDS Research Network

HIV/AIDS researchers, consider two grant funding opportunities for NIH’s Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR). Since 1988, the CFAR program has fostered synergy and research coordination, supported emerging research opportunities, and promoted resource sharing among institutions that receive significant HIV/AIDS funding from NIH.

NIAID and its partner institutes invite applications for center core grants (P30) to enhance collaboration and coordination in activities not easily accomplished through standard research awards. Refer to the following reissued notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs):

• PAR-23-116, Centers for AIDS Research (P30, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
• PAR-23-117, Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (P30, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Both NOFOs support centers that will provide core facilities, expertise, resources, and services not readily obtained otherwise through more traditional funding mechanisms; however, the Developmental-CFAR (D-CFAR) is designed to provide developmental support for institutions that plan to compete for a standard CFAR award in the future.

Eligibility

Find full eligibility details in Section III. Eligibility Information of each NOFO linked above. Your institution is limited to only one concurrent CFAR or D-CFAR award. Current D-CFAR recipient institutions may submit a renewal application through the CFAR opportunity, rather than submit a new application.

To apply, your institution’s NIH HIV/AIDS funded research base (FRB) must be at least $10 million in the past fiscal year. Check either NOFO for FRB calculation details. The NIH HIV/AIDS FRB is compiled from data provided by NIH’s Office of AIDS Research. To verify eligibility, applicant institutions may email Elaine Wong or Dr. Eric Refsland using the contact information listed at the end of this article.

For D-CFAR awards, your base total cost is limited to $1 million annually. For standard CFAR awards, NIH provides three tiers of funding based on the FRB for the institution:

Application Requirements

CFARs and D-CFARs support HIV/AIDS researchers and collaborating organizations through multiple cores and core services. Find full descriptions of each core’s requirements in the NOFOs. When you apply, explain how your institution will establish and leverage the following cores:

• Administrative Core—One required. Responsible for managing, coordinating, and overseeing CFAR activities.
• Developmental Core—One required. Provides short-term funding for HIV/AIDS research awards and mentoring for early-career investigators.
• Advanced Technology Core(s)—At least one required, no maximum. Provides equipment, training, unique services, quality control, and expertise.
• Clinical Science Core(s)—At least one required, no maximum. Provides resources for HIV/AIDS clinical and translational research among collaborating clinical, social or behavioral, and basic scientists.
• Additional Core(s)—Optional. Propose as needed to advance local HIV/AIDS research efforts (e.g., bioinformatics core, biostatistics core, sociobehavioral core, implementation science core, and/or data science core).
• Scientific Working Group(s)—At least one required, maximum of three. Promote multidisciplinary collaborations on critical HIV/AIDS issues that are neglected or underdeveloped at the institution.

Note that these NOFOs include a novel component not previously required: your application must provide a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) within your proposed Research Plan.

Deadlines and Contacts

For both NOFOs, the first of three annual due dates is August 2, 2023. Submit your optional Letter of Intent at least 30 days before the application due date. The due dates that follow are August 2, 2024, and August 2, 2025.

Check our additional guidance for CFAR Interested Applicants. Direct your questions to the following NIAID contacts:

• Scientific/research: Dr. Eric Refsland (eric.refsland@nih.gov; 301-761-7193) or Elaine Wong (elaine.wong@nih.gov; 240-627-3100).
• Peer review: Dr. Kristina Wickham (kristina.wickham@nih.gov; 301-761-5390).
• Grants management: Roberta Wolcott (roberta.wolcott@nih.gov; 240-669-2964).