Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 307

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the PAR-20-307 funding opportunity?

PAR-20-307 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity for the Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS using the P30 center core grant mechanism. It is run through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), specifically the Division of AIDS Research (DAR).

Which NIH Institute is sponsoring this opportunity?

The opportunity is sponsored by NIH through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Division of AIDS Research (DAR).

What does a P30 center core grant support (in this context)?

This P30 opportunity supports shared center infrastructure (often called “core” support) that multiple research teams can use, rather than funding a single stand-alone research project. The focus is on building or strengthening coordinated resources and capabilities that increase the impact, cohesion, and efficiency of HIV/AIDS and mental health research.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The main purpose is to create or strengthen HIV/AIDS Research Centers (often referred to as ARCs) by funding core services, expertise, and coordination capacity that enable investigators to conduct higher-impact, mission-relevant science at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and mental health.

Is this opportunity focused on infrastructure or on individual research projects?

It is focused on infrastructure. The award is intended to fund enabling resources and shared support systems that multiple projects can use, rather than supporting isolated support structures for each separate project.

What types of “core” resources might be supported by a P30 center?

Examples of typical P30 center-type infrastructure mentioned include administrative coordination, shared methods support, participant recruitment systems, data management, biostatistics, regulatory support, community engagement capacity, and other common scientific resources that improve research quality and accelerate progress across multiple projects.

What research areas are encouraged under this FOA?

The FOA encourages a broad range of HIV/AIDS and mental health research areas, including basic research; NeuroHIV; behavioral and social science; integrated biobehavioral approaches; applied and clinical research; translational research that moves findings between lab, clinic, and community; and implementation science focused on improving uptake, fidelity, reach, and sustainability of effective interventions in real-world settings.

What is NeuroHIV in the context of this announcement?

NeuroHIV refers to research on how HIV affects the nervous system and brain, including neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric outcomes.

Does the FOA require clinical trials?

No. The opportunity is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” which means clinical trials may be included when appropriate, but they are not required as a condition of applying.

If clinical trials are optional, can a center include them anyway?

Yes. The “Clinical Trial Optional” designation indicates trials may be included when appropriate, but they are not mandatory.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organization types, such as state/county/city/township/special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities.

Are specific institution types called out as eligible?

Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Can a U.S. organization apply if it plans to conduct part of the work outside the United States?

The announcement places strict limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. The center infrastructure and supported activities must remain domestically based under NIH policy rules for this opportunity.

Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy for this FOA?

No. The FOA states that foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category listed for this opportunity is Health.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.242.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2020-10-08.

What is the original closing date listed in the provided details?

The original closing date listed is 2023-09-13.

How many awards will be made and what is the maximum award amount?

That information is not provided in the excerpted listing. The excerpt states that no award ceiling or expected number of awards is provided, and applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidance for typical cost expectations and constraints for P30 center core applications.

Where should applicants look for budget expectations or constraints?

Based on the provided details, applicants should consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidance to understand typical cost expectations and constraints for P30 center core applications.

What does it mean that the FOA supports “developmental” AIDS research centers?

Based on the description provided, it supports the creation or strengthening of HIV/AIDS Research Centers by funding shared infrastructure and coordination capacity that enable multiple investigators and research teams to conduct higher-impact work in HIV/AIDS and mental health.

What is the intended benefit of having shared cores instead of each project building its own support systems?

The intended benefit is to make the supported science more cohesive, efficient, and scalable, and to accelerate and improve research quality by providing shared expertise and resources that multiple teams can use.

What kinds of research approaches does the FOA emphasize?

The FOA emphasizes innovative and interdisciplinary research programs aligned with NIMH priorities, including integrated biobehavioral approaches and translational and implementation science efforts that connect lab, clinic, and community settings and improve real-world uptake and sustainability of effective interventions.