Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying HIV/AIDS within the scope of NIDCD's mission. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders focuses on hearing, balance, smell, taste, and voice disorders. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, and independent research organizations with IRB-approved protocols.
Applications must address how HIV/AIDS research relates to communication disorders, hearing loss, or other NIDCD-relevant conditions. Both clinical trials and non-clinical research approaches are supported. Awardees must have institutional research infrastructure and fiscal oversight capacity.
Geographic scope is the United States. Federal employees and researchers at federally funded research centers may have restricted eligibility. International collaborators can be included but must work through U.S. institutions.
Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to stimulate HIV/AIDS research within the scientific mission areas of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD). Applications should address high priority HIV/AIDS research outlined by the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) (https://www.oar.nih.gov/hiv-policy-and-research/research-priorities) in the areas of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.For applications proposing a clinical trial, only low risk clinical trials will be supported.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative (specific aims, background, research design, preliminary results)
- Budget and justification (modular or detailed)
- Biographical sketches of key personnel (NIH format)
- Research plan appendices (if applicable)
- Institutional support letters and IRB approval documentation
- Current and pending support list
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.173 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$67,501,043
-
$41,811,330
-
$29,666,573
-
$25,009,162
-
$22,883,624
-
$22,740,456
-
$16,596,227
-
$13,255,879
-
$12,363,350
-
$12,276,804
Top States by Funding
- MA 11 awards $142.6M
- CA 10 awards $101.6M
- IA 5 awards $77.5M
- CT 2 awards $76.3M
- MD 7 awards $56.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.173). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $422,034,489 | |
| 2025 | $422,700,014 | |
| 2026 est. | $427,030,000 |
FAQ
What types of HIV/AIDS research does NIDCD fund?
NIDCD funds research on HIV-related communication disorders, hearing loss, and ototoxicity. Studies on antiretroviral side effects affecting speech, hearing, or balance are priorities.
Is a clinical trial required?
No. The R21 mechanism supports exploratory research with or without a clinical trial component.
What is the typical funding range?
R21 awards typically provide $200,000-$300,000 total costs over two years, but consult the RFP for exact limits.
How competitive is this grant?
R21 grants are moderately competitive. Preliminary data and a clear research plan strengthen applications significantly.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is November 16, 2027. Applications open January 8, 2025.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize the nexus between HIV/AIDS and communication disorders, hearing, balance, or related NIDCD priorities. Vague connections weaken applications.
- Use preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility. Even pilot study results strengthen R21 submissions.
- Clearly distinguish your exploratory aims from well-established research. R21s fund early-stage science, not mature projects.
- Build a realistic timeline for two years. Overambitious scope is a common weakness in R21 applications.
- Ensure your institution has NIH-compatible fiscal and research administration systems. Budget and compliance infrastructure matters.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak connection to NIDCD mission—applications rejected when HIV/AIDS link to communication or hearing disorders is unclear or tangential. Insufficient preliminary data—R21s need proof of concept to justify exploratory funding. Scope too broad or timeline unrealistic for two-year awards.
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