Deadline: 08-Nov-21
The National Institute of Health is seeking applications for its HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research to support locally relevant research in critical areas of HIV-associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) Institutions, to enhance research capacity, and to build a network of researchers both within and across LMICs to address this critical burden.
This initiative is expected to stimulate new research on the interplay between HIV and development of NCDs in persons living with HIV (PLWH). This includes exploratory studies to uncover the extent to which HIV infection influences the etiopathogenesis of the NCDs; and to identify and develop appropriate approaches for effective diagnosis, prevention, therapeutic interventions and integrated clinical care for PLWH with the comorbid conditions.
Objectives
The objective of this FOA is to enhance understanding of the complex mechanisms leading to an increased susceptibility to NCDs, drug-induced metabolic disorders leading to a higher risk for developing NCDs, and an accelerated aging process in PLWH that may lead to better design of future interventions aimed at decreasing the effects of such co-morbidities. In vitro studies and use of applicable animal models are allowed; however, the relevance of these studies to human disease should be clear. The areas of focus under each topic area may include but are not limited to:
- Basic sciences:
- Address etiopathogenesis of NCDs in PLWH
- Conduct mechanistic studies to understand the cause for the accelerated disease in PLWH
- Investigate the biological, physiological, biochemical and metabolic processes that are affected by HIV infection resulting in the exaggerated pathology
- Aging process in PLWH:
- Investigate causes for early onset of NCDs in the stable PLWH population on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in relation to the time of HIV diagnosis and starting on ART
- Understand the mechanisms of immune aging that may be helpful in designing appropriate interventions to stem the aging process initiated by HIV
- Diagnostics:
- Develop better tools for early diagnosis of NCDs in PLWH
- Identify early markers of NCDs in PLWH who start on ART post diagnosis
- Therapeutic interventions:
- Explore optimal drug regimens and drug-drug interactions (DDI), including drug interactions with traditional medicines, which complicate therapy decisions in PLWH with NCDs
- Explore the role of drug-drug interactions resulting in ineffective treatment outcomes and developing alternate drug regimens,
- Explore the role of nutritional imbalance and nutritional supplementation in therapeutic uptake and health outcomes of PLWH with NCDs
- Behavioral studies:
- Examine long-term options for better quality of life in PLWH with NCDs, including decreasing the effects of stigma, mental health and neurocognitive disorders
- Clinical studies:
- Develop approaches for better patient centered care and care outcomes
- Conduct implementation research for more integrated care management of HIV and HIV-associated NCDs
- Develop research-based evidence needed for integrating HIV and HIV-associated NCD care for future decisions on health care delivery and policy
Funding Information
- The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $150,000 may be requested in any single year. The budget request must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
- Applicants may request a project period of up to two years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Higher Education Institutions
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education
- The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Other
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions)
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=334589