High Priority HIV and Substance Use Research (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions conducting rigorous clinical trials and studies on HIV and substance use disorders. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and government laboratories. Applicants must have institutional capacity to conduct clinical research and obtain IRB approval. International collaborations are permitted but the applicant organization must be U.S.-based.
Preference is given to projects addressing high-priority research gaps identified by NIH. Proposed research should integrate HIV and substance use prevention, treatment, or outcomes. Small businesses and minority-serving institutions are encouraged to apply.
There are no geographic restrictions. Project timelines typically span 5 years, with funding available for direct and indirect costs. Prior NIH funding experience is helpful but not required for eligible applicants.
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Program description
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support high priority research at the intersection of HIV and substance use. This FOA invites innovative research projects with the potential to open new areas of HIV/AIDS research and/or lead to new avenues for prevention, treatment and cure of HIV among people who use drugs (PWUD). Applications submitted under this FOA are required to have a detailed research plan, preliminary data, and a clear description of the nexus with substance use. This FOA is open to both individual researchers and research teams and includes all areas of research from basic science to clinical and implementation research. All studies must focus on NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities: NOT-OD-20-018: UPDATE: NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities and Guidelines for Determining HIV/AIDS Funding.
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 for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (specific aims, significance, innovation, approach, timeline)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biographical sketches (key personnel)
- Research plan with IRB approval documentation or plan
- Letters of support from collaborating institutions
- Data management and sharing plan
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$204,359,786
-
$128,078,833
-
$126,585,435
-
$99,478,296
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,351,755
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,578,651
-
$50,952,037
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 4 awards $141.1M
- MD 2 awards $128.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S.-based research institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, and eligible small businesses can apply. Your organization must have institutional research infrastructure and IRB review capacity.
What types of projects are funded?
Clinical trials, observational studies, and implementation research on HIV and substance use disorders. Optional clinical trial mechanisms are available for flexible project designs.
What is the typical funding range?
NIH R01-equivalent grants typically award $200,000–$500,000 annually. Exact amounts vary by project scope and institutional indirect cost rates.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is March 5, 2027. Applications must be submitted through NIH Grants.gov before 5 PM ET on the deadline date.
How competitive is this funding?
NIH research grants are highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 10–20%. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and experienced research teams improve competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with strong preliminary data demonstrating feasibility and scientific importance of your research question.
- Ensure your study design directly addresses HIV and substance use as integrated health challenges, not separate issues.
- Build a team with clinical expertise, biostatistical rigor, and demonstrated experience in human subjects research.
- Plan realistic recruitment and retention strategies with input from your target population and community partners.
- Budget carefully for all clinical trial costs including participant compensation, monitoring, and site management.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or missing preliminary data showing project feasibility. Vague or overly broad research aims that don't address a specific high-priority research gap. Underestimating the timeline and cost of clinical trial conduct, recruitment, and participant retention.
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