Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 18 009
The grant opportunity titled "Exploring Novel RNA Modifications in HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorders (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-18-009) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed to spark early-stage, exploratory research on how covalent RNA modifications influence HIV/AIDS in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs). The main scientific focus is on "epitranscriptomic" changes, meaning chemical modifications added onto RNA molecules that can alter how RNA behaves without changing the underlying genetic sequence. The FOA is especially interested in projects that can identify which RNA modifications are involved in HIV function, clarify the mechanisms behind those modifications, and explain how these processes might be affected by chronic exposure to drugs of abuse. The bigger picture goal is to generate foundational knowledge that could eventually support new therapeutic strategies for treating HIV in people who also have SUDs, a population that often faces additional clinical challenges related to adherence, immune function, inflammation, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes.
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which typically supports innovative, higher-risk ideas that may still be in the earlier phases of development, such as proof-of-concept studies, development or adaptation of new assays, or preliminary mapping of biological pathways. Within that exploratory framework, the FOA emphasizes research that links RNA modifications to key aspects of HIV biology and pathogenesis, while also accounting for the ways drugs or chronic drug exposure may interact with or reshape those RNA modification pathways. In practical terms, strong applications would likely propose experiments to detect and characterize specific RNA modifications (whether on viral RNA, host RNA, or both), test how those modifications change HIV replication or latency-related processes, and determine how exposure to substances could modulate the enzymes and pathways that write, erase, or read those RNA marks. The premise is that understanding these interactions could highlight new molecular targets that are particularly relevant for HIV-positive individuals with SUDs.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a grant, and the funding activity category is listed under Education and Health, with CFDA number 93.279. The award ceiling is $200,000, indicating the maximum award amount anticipated under this announcement. The original closing date for applications was August 17, 2017, and the opportunity was created on May 12, 2017. While the posting reflects that historical deadline, the summary still captures the intent and scope of the FOA: generating novel, mechanistic insights at the intersection of HIV, RNA chemical modifications, and substance exposure that could later support more extensive translational or therapeutic development.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants across public, private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories that NIH explicitly encourages, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American 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, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), as well as Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Taken together, the eligibility language signals an intent to attract diverse research teams and institutions, including those serving populations disproportionately affected by HIV and substance use, and to support a wide range of scientific approaches that can move this emerging area of RNA modification biology forward.Apply for RFA DA 18 009
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploring Novel RNA Modifications in HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorders (R21)" 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 2017-05-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-08-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Exploring Novel RNA Modifications in HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorders (R21)".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-DA-18-009.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What grant mechanism does this FOA use?
This FOA uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for early-stage, exploratory, and potentially higher-risk research.
What is the main scientific focus of this FOA?
The FOA focuses on how covalent RNA modifications (described as epitranscriptomic changes) influence HIV/AIDS in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs).
What does "epitranscriptomic" mean in this context?
In this FOA, "epitranscriptomic" refers to chemical modifications added onto RNA molecules that can change how RNA behaves without changing the underlying genetic sequence.
What kinds of research questions is the FOA especially interested in?
The FOA is especially interested in projects that can:
- Identify which RNA modifications are involved in HIV function
- Clarify mechanisms behind those modifications
- Explain how these RNA modification processes may be affected by chronic exposure to drugs of abuse
How does substance use fit into the research scope?
The FOA emphasizes studies that account for how drugs of abuse or chronic drug exposure may interact with, modulate, or reshape RNA modification pathways relevant to HIV biology and pathogenesis.
What HIV-related biological processes does the FOA suggest studying?
Within the exploratory R21 framework, the FOA points toward examining how RNA modifications may affect:
- HIV replication
- Latency-related processes
- Broader aspects of HIV biology and pathogenesis
Are projects limited to studying viral RNA only?
No. The FOA indicates that strong applications might detect and characterize RNA modifications on viral RNA, host RNA, or both.
What kinds of molecular pathways or components does the FOA highlight?
The FOA highlights investigating enzymes and pathways that write, erase, or read RNA modification marks, and how substance exposure could modulate these processes.
What types of studies are generally appropriate for an NIH R21 in this program?
Based on the description provided, the R21 mechanism is positioned for innovative, early-stage work such as:
- Proof-of-concept studies
- Development or adaptation of new assays
- Preliminary mapping of biological pathways relevant to HIV, RNA modifications, and substance exposure
What is the broader goal or long-term impact described for this research?
The bigger-picture goal is to generate foundational knowledge that could eventually support new therapeutic strategies for treating HIV in people who also have SUDs.
Why does the FOA emphasize people living with HIV who also have SUDs?
The FOA notes that this population often experiences additional clinical challenges, including issues related to adherence, immune function, inflammation, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $200,000, described as the maximum award amount anticipated under this announcement.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.279.
What funding activity category is associated with this FOA?
The funding activity category is listed under Education and Health.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 12, 2017.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date for applications was August 17, 2017.
Does the posting indicate this is a historical (past-deadline) opportunity?
Yes. The provided information reflects a historical deadline (August 17, 2017), while still summarizing the FOA's intent and scope.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public, private, nonprofit, and governmental entities, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other entities
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions as eligible.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal agencies in the list of eligible applicants.
Does the FOA encourage applications from institutions serving specific populations?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicant categories that NIH explicitly encourages, including:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American 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
- Regional organizations
Are Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized tribal governments) among eligible applicant categories.
What kind of projects would likely be considered strong fits based on the description?
Based on the information provided, strong applications would likely propose experiments to:
- Detect and characterize specific RNA modifications (viral, host, or both)
- Test functional impacts of RNA modifications on HIV replication or latency-related processes
- Determine how substances or chronic exposure to drugs of abuse modulate RNA modification enzymes and pathways
What is the central premise behind this FOA?
The premise is that understanding how RNA modification pathways intersect with HIV biology and substance exposure could reveal new molecular targets particularly relevant for HIV-positive individuals with SUDs.
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