Deadline: 1-Jun-23
PATH is offering an opportunity to apply for funding to advance research applications for development of new HIV prevention approaches.
The objective of this funding opportunity is to support the development of solutions to specific challenges facing the field of HIV prevention. Challenge solutions can stimulate the development and implementation of effective HIV prevention strategies that meet the diverse HIV prevention needs of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW), and female sex workers (FSWs).
Applicants will propose activities designed to address the challenge within the RFA duration and direct cost limits. Specific challenges and their parameters are listed in Section III. TT and BPWG applicants must design applications that are based on the deliverable identified for the challenge. RC applicants will develop specific aims and conduct milestone and go/no-go driven research designed to address the scientific gap identified in the challenge. PATH, a member of the MATRIX project, will oversee application submission and award processes using an oversight structure that draws from US- and Africa-based administrators. The number of awards will be based on meritorious review of the proposals received.
Funding Information
- They are seeking a diverse pool of investigators in HIV prevention research and development to address a wide range of HIV prevention challenges.
- Proposed applications will be composed of self-assembled groups of researchers to address challenges using one of three mechanisms. The mechanisms are:
- Think tanks: groups of experts convene to provide guidance on how to address the posed challenge and propose next steps (experimental and/or logistical) to meet the challenge.
- Duration (up to): 1 year.
- Maximum total cost: $100,000
- Best practice working groups: groups of researchers charged with identifying best practices to address a prevention challenge and, if applicable, perform limited proof-of-concept studies to support the proposed best practice.
- Duration (up to): 1.5 years.
- Maximum total cost: $200,000
- Research challenges: research projects where applicants propose and perform specific laboratory-based research to address the prevention challenge.
- Duration (up to): 2 years.
- Maximum total cost: $350,000 per year
Eligibility information
- The proposed research needs to address a single, specific prevention challenge using the identified mechanism in Table 3 to support the goals and objectives of the MATRIX project and USAID.
- Applicants from US, EU, UK, Kenyan, South African, or Zimbabwean institutions (e.g., universities; private, for-profit, or not-for-profit small companies; university researchers and research consortia/programs; and innovation or incubation hubs) consisting of students, postdoctoral fellows, and new/early and established investigators are invited to apply. Foreign nationals from Kenya, South Africa, or Zimbabwe working in the US, EU, and UK are eligible to apply.
- Project applications must involve significant participation and/or leadership from Kenyan, South African, and/or Zimbabwean investigators. For TT and BPWG, the application must be either led or co-led by a representative from Kenya, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. For RC, the leadership and the research teams should contain appropriate representation from one or more of these three countries. Inclusion of personnel from these countries whose sole role is to provide samples for a US/EU/UK-based RC activity does not constitute representation on the research team.
- Principal investigators (PIs) must have the skills, knowledge, and institutional resources necessary to support the generation of the requested outcomes for TT and BPWG, or if an RC, carry out the proposed research.
- Projects that would use funds to provide material support or resources to individuals, entities, or organizations of countries that have been identified by the United States Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism are ineligible. The countries currently identified are Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
- Project applications can be submitted by USAID award holders, including MATRIX’s existing partners.
- Applicant organizations or PIs may submit applications to multiple prevention challenge topics, provided that each application does not overlap with and is scientifically distinct from other submitted applications.
For more information visit PATH.