Advancing technologies to improve delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, and other cargoes for HIV and SUD mechanistic or therapeutic research (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 22 010

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 22 010

This NIH grant opportunity (RFA-DA-22-010) supports R01 research projects aimed at creating or significantly improving technologies that can deliver different types of research or therapeutic payloads related to HIV and substance use disorders (SUD). The central need it addresses is that many promising pharmacological agents, gene editing tools, and other biological or chemical "cargoes" cannot reach the right cells or tissues efficiently, safely, or consistently enough to answer key mechanistic questions or to move toward therapeutic approaches. Projects under this announcement are expected to focus on delivery as the core technical barrier and to develop platforms, methods, or enabling tools that make it easier to get these cargoes to their intended targets in the context of HIV and/or SUD research.

The scope is broad in terms of what counts as "cargo." It explicitly includes pharmacological agents and gene editing systems, but it also leaves room for other payload types that could be important for mechanistic studies or translational work in HIV and SUD. In practical terms, that could cover small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids, gene editing components, or other experimental payloads where delivery challenges limit effectiveness, specificity, durability, or interpretability in research models. The emphasis is on advancing delivery technologies, meaning applicants should be proposing innovations that improve targeting, uptake, distribution, stability, controlled release, or overall feasibility for HIV and SUD-focused research questions.

The activity mechanism is an R01 (research project grant), with clinical trials listed as optional. That generally signals that proposals can be purely preclinical or mechanistic, but the funding opportunity does not automatically exclude clinical translation if a well-justified clinical study is proposed. Still, the title and description place the primary spotlight on technology development for delivery, so successful applications would typically make it clear how the delivery advance enables better mechanistic insight, better experimental control, or a clearer path to therapeutic exploration for HIV and/or SUD.

Eligibility is expansive, reflecting NIH's broad applicant base and an explicit interest in participation from diverse institution types. Eligible applicants include many levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. It also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.

In addition, the opportunity explicitly calls out other eligible applicant categories that are often highlighted to encourage broader participation and partnerships: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This makes it possible for a wide range of academic, community, government, and international groups to apply, either alone or through collaborations, as long as the proposed work fits the delivery-technology focus tied to HIV and SUD.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health as a discretionary grant in the Education/Health activity category, associated with CFDA 93.279. The original closing date listed is October 25, 2022, and the posting record indicates a creation date of February 26, 2021. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which often means applicants need to rely on the full funding announcement text for budget guidance, NIH policy defaults for R01 budgeting, and any institute-specific expectations.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a technology-forward R01 aimed at solving the delivery problem for HIV and SUD research. Competitive projects would typically articulate (1) what delivery limitation is currently blocking progress, (2) what new platform or approach will overcome that limitation, and (3) how the improved delivery will concretely enable mechanistic discovery or therapeutic experimentation relevant to HIV and/or substance use disorders.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing technologies to improve delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, and other cargoes for HIV and SUD mechanistic or therapeutic research (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-02-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA DA 22 010

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: