HIV/AIDS Scholars Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models Program (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 231

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 231

The HIV/AIDS Scholars Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models Program is an NIH mentored career development award (K01) intended to help early-stage investigators build the skills, track record, and research direction needed to become independent HIV/AIDS researchers. The program provides salary and research support for a sustained, mentored period of career development focused specifically on translational HIV/AIDS research that uses nonhuman primates as preclinical models. The core idea is to support scientists at a pivotal career point so they can develop a strong scientific niche, publish impactful work, and be positioned to compete successfully for independent funding such as an R01.

A key eligibility emphasis is career stage: applicants should be within ten years of completing a terminal professional degree or residency training. The award supports three years of intensive research and structured career development. Applicants are expected to propose a clear training and development plan and to work under the guidance of an experienced mentorship team. Importantly, the mentorship team must collectively bring two kinds of expertise: deep experience using NHP models for HIV/AIDS preclinical work, and real translational expertise that can help move findings toward clinical application in humans. In other words, this is not just an animal-models training mechanism; it is designed to deliberately connect preclinical NHP research to human HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, cure, and related clinical priorities.

The research scope is tied to NIH priorities reflected in the FY 2019/2020 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research. That means projects can align with major HIV research objectives such as prevention and cure strategies, next-generation therapies, and improving understanding of comorbidities, coinfections, and complications that affect people living with HIV. The FOA also explicitly supports cross-cutting goals like strengthening the research workforce through training and capacity building, which is consistent with the K01’s purpose of developing the next generation of independent investigators.

A major structural constraint is captured in the title: "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed." This FOA is specifically for applicants who are not proposing to lead an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial as the primary research activity. However, the FOA does allow applicants to gain clinical trial experience as part of their career development if the clinical trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. Practically, this means the applicant’s proposed work should remain preclinical/translational using NHP models, while any exposure to clinical research should be framed as mentored experience rather than applicant-led trial leadership.

Organizational eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district). It also includes eligible federal agencies, faith-based and community-based organizations, and a range of institutions that NIH often highlights for workforce and capacity development, including Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), among others. Despite the wide range of domestic applicants, the FOA is clear that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is an NIH discretionary grant under the health funding category, with CFDA 93.351. The Funding Opportunity Announcement is PAR-20-231, created June 16, 2020, with an original closing date listed as September 7, 2022. The summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, but it does clearly define the project duration as three years and frames the expected outcome: awardees should exit the mentored period ready to launch independent HIV/AIDS research programs that can attract major external funding and contribute directly to translational advances informed by NHP model systems.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HIV/AIDS Scholars Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models Program (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.351.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-07. (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 PAR 20 231

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