Deadline: 9-Aug-23
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering grants to support the Mechanisms and Targets at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use.
Purpose
- The purpose is to support basic research on signaling pathways and mechanisms including HIV-host protein interactions and post-translational modifications by which addictive drugs and HIV infection converge to induce changes in brain function and cause neuropathological alterations and neurocognitive dysfunctions. This FOA also aims to promote discovery and development of novel chemical and biological approaches for prevention or mitigation of CNS complications associated with HIV infection and substance use disorders.
Scope
- This funding opportunity announcement is focused on studies that would lead to the identification of molecular targets and signaling pathways that contribute to exacerbated adverse CNS effects resulting from HIV and SUD. The studies could encompass development of chemical and pharmacological tools and application of emerging technologies to identify molecular targets and mechanisms of relevance to HIV-SUD comorbidity.
- The research could also focus on elucidating structural details that reveal interactions among relevant targets and identifying and optimizing lead compounds for modulating the function of those targets. The projects to be funded through this initiative are expected to:
- expand our understanding of the mechanisms by which HIV and substance use lead to neuropathological effects; and
- facilitate the development of new therapeutic modalities for addressing neurological comorbidities associated with HIV and substance use.
Funding Information
- NIDA intends to commit up to $3,000,000 in FY 2024 to fund 4-6 awards in response to this FOA and the companion FOA.
- The combined budget for direct costs for the two year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
- The maximum project period is 2 years.
Eligible Projects
The proposed studies could include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Elucidation of mechanisms by which HIV and host protein expression, interactions, and PTMs are modulated by substance use, HIV infection, and ART
- Application of emerging target and drug discovery technologies to identify targets and pathways amenable to therapeutic intervention
- Screening and identification of small molecules or proteins that can be used as modulators of pathways and interactions implicated in HIV-SUD comorbidity
- Design and development of molecular tools to gain insights into the role of specific targets or pathways contributing to the adverse effects of HIV and substance use
- Determination of structural details and molecular interactions using biophysical methods such as cryo-EM, X-ray, NMR, and mass spectrometry to gain insights and to aid in drug discovery
- Application of virtual screening, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and structure-based drug design strategies to identify and optimize novel lead compounds to improve potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties for bioavailability and brain penetration
- Molecular pharmacological and behavioral studies to demonstrate the efficacy of compounds using suitable animal models to aid in the development of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or mitigate the deleterious effects of HIV-SUD comorbidity
Ineligible Projects
Applications that include the following types of studies will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed:
- Applications focusing on HIV-mediated CNS effects that do not include studies in the context of use of one or more substances
- Applications that solely focus on HIV-alcohol interactions
- Applications focusing on advanced drug development efforts
- Applications focusing on generation of new animal models
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)
- For-Profit Organizations
- Small Businesses
- For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)
- Local Governments
- State Governments
- County Governments
- City or Township Governments
- Special District Governments
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
- Federal Government
- Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
- U.S. Territory or Possession
- Other
- Independent School Districts
- Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
- Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
- Regional Organizations
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions)
- Foreign Institutions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.
- Foreign components, are allowed.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.