Mechanistic Exploration of Therapeutic Targets and Treatable Traits to Improve CNS Outcomes in People with HIV
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 6, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research institutions investigating mechanistic and therapeutic aspects of HIV-related central nervous system (CNS) outcomes. Eligible applicants typically include NIH-eligible organizations such as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, medical centers, and government agencies. The program supports investigator-initiated research projects that explore therapeutic targets and treatable traits relevant to neurocognitive, psychiatric, or neurological complications in people with HIV. Applicants must demonstrate scientific merit and institutional capacity for conducting rigorous biomedical research. This is a competitive federal research grant with no geographic restrictions.
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Key dates
- Jun 9, 2025 Applications open
- Nov 11, 2025 Application deadline
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Mental Health intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research to identify modifiable targets and mechanisms to alleviate clinically relevant central nervous system (CNS) complications in people with HIV. This NOFO supports research that leverages patient derived data and innovative model platforms to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets underlying CNS complications. Building on advances in systems biology, this initiative seeks to identify modifiable mechanisms contributing to CNS dysfunction through clinical studies or pre-clinical model systems. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of effective, mechanism-based interventions that address the multifactorial and heterogeneous nature of CNS complications. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the R01 activity code. Investigators with expertise in systems biology, pre-clinical models, clinical trial methodologies and translational neurobiology should consider applying to this NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- County Government
- Hospital
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (specific aims, research design and methods, significance, innovation)
- Biographical sketches for all key personnel
- Budget and budget justification
- Budget narrative
- Facilities and resources documentation
- Letters of support from collaborating institutions (if applicable)
- Vertebrate animals section (if applicable)
- Human subjects protection/IRB approval (if applicable)
- Data management and sharing plan
- Research strategy (typically 12-15 pages)
Program contact
- 👤 Vasudev R Rao, MBBS, MS. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- 📧 vasudev.rao@nih.gov
- 📞 301-825-3259
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.242 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$92,363,814
-
$91,890,365
-
$67,491,373
-
$64,705,159
-
$63,991,707
-
$48,653,752
-
$40,395,082
-
$38,475,557
-
$36,135,833
-
$35,940,675
Top States by Funding
- CA 15 awards $433.4M
- MA 10 awards $257.3M
- WA 4 awards $191.8M
- NY 6 awards $185.7M
- PA 6 awards $111.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.242). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,722,300,004 | |
| 2025 | $1,726,864,191 | |
| 2026 est. | $99,221,272 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this NIH grant?
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, universities, medical centers, medical schools, hospitals, research institutes, and other NIH-eligible institutions. Individuals are generally not eligible; applications must be submitted by an institutional entity.
What types of research activities are supported?
This grant supports investigator-initiated research exploring the mechanisms of CNS complications in people with HIV, identifying therapeutic targets, and developing or testing interventions to improve neurological and psychiatric outcomes.
What is the typical timeline for this program?
NIH research grants typically have rolling submission deadlines (often multiple times per year). The open date is June 9, 2025, but specific application deadlines are determined by the NIH review schedule. Check grants.nih.gov for exact deadlines.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive federal research grant. Success rates typically range from 10-25% depending on the specific funding mechanism and review panel. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and institutional support are critical.
What is the typical funding range?
NIH R-series grants (investigator-initiated research) typically provide $150,000-$500,000 per year depending on the specific mechanism. Total project periods often span 3-5 years. Check the official funding opportunity announcement for specific limits.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish preliminary data demonstrating proof-of-concept for your therapeutic target or trait approach before submission. NIH reviewers expect evidence that your proposed work is scientifically sound and feasible.
- Clearly articulate the clinical significance of your research by explaining how identifying treatable traits in HIV+ individuals with CNS complications will improve patient outcomes or quality of life.
- Build a multidisciplinary research team that combines expertise in HIV medicine, neuroscience, and relevant molecular or clinical assessment methods. Collaboration strengthens competitiveness.
- Address health disparities and the disproportionate impact of HIV-related CNS outcomes on underrepresented communities in your research plan and recruitment strategy.
- Use recent literature and cite key foundational studies in CNS-HIV research, HIV treatment, and therapeutic target discovery to situate your work within the current scientific landscape.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications lack sufficient preliminary data or published evidence supporting the therapeutic target's biological relevance to HIV-related CNS pathology. Weak or unclear clinical significance statements that fail to connect mechanistic findings to improved treatment or outcomes also contribute to rejections. Additionally, applicants sometimes underestimate the complexity of CNS research or propose timelines that are unrealistic given the scope of mechanistic exploration required.
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