Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 355

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 355

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-355) supports early-stage, exploratory research that sits at the intersection of HIV and aging science. The core idea is to encourage multidisciplinary projects that use what researchers have learned about aging biology, geriatric care, and age-related social and behavioral factors to deepen understanding of HIV across the lifespan, while also using HIV as a powerful lens for studying how aging works in real-world clinical and community settings. Because this is an R21 mechanism, the program is generally geared toward innovative, developmental studies that can generate strong preliminary data, test new concepts, or open up new directions that may later grow into larger, more definitive research programs. Clinical trials are optional, meaning proposals may include a trial if it is appropriate and well-justified, but they do not have to.

The opportunity highlights two main research objectives. First, it aims to improve understanding of the biological, clinical, and socio-behavioral dimensions of aging specifically as they appear in people with HIV and in the context of HIV treatment. This includes how lifelong infection, chronic immune activation or inflammation, antiretroviral therapy exposure, and lived experience with HIV can shape trajectories of aging, functional status, cognition, multimorbidity, frailty, disability, and quality of life. It also invites work that examines social determinants of health and behavioral factors that affect aging with HIV, such as stigma, mental health, substance use, isolation, housing instability, access to care, adherence, and differences that emerge across gender, race and ethnicity, and other identities.

Second, the NOFO seeks to improve approaches for HIV testing, prevention, and treatment, and for managing HIV-related comorbidities, co-infections, and complications, using contemporary aging science approaches. In practice, that means applicants are encouraged to bring geroscience concepts, geriatric assessment strategies, implementation approaches tailored to older adults, and culturally grounded models of care into HIV research. The focus is not limited to the United States; it explicitly welcomes research that considers different populations and cultural settings, recognizing that aging with HIV may look different depending on health systems, resources, and local epidemiology. The scope also includes the complex clinical picture many older people with HIV face, where managing cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, kidney and liver disease, neurocognitive changes, bone health, cancers, and chronic viral co-infections may be central to improving long-term outcomes.

A key requirement is alignment with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) HIV/AIDS Research Priorities, referenced in NOT-OD-20-018. Applicants should expect that proposals will be assessed not only for scientific merit and innovation, but also for how clearly the aims connect to those NIH-wide priorities for HIV research. This typically pushes applications to be explicit about the HIV-related significance of the work, the populations affected, and how the results could inform prevention, treatment, or health outcomes for people with or at risk for HIV, including in the context of aging.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and international organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and 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); tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other types of organizations. The NOFO also calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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 non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to encourage participation from institutions that serve populations disproportionately affected by HIV and from organizations positioned to conduct community-engaged, culturally informed, or internationally relevant research.

Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity under the R21 activity code, with a "Clinical Trial Optional" designation. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers, reflecting the cross-institute nature of HIV and aging research within NIH. The original closing date shown is January 7, 2027, which suggests the announcement remains open over multiple receipt dates (as is common for NIH program announcements), though applicants should confirm the specific application due dates and cycles in the full NOFO and the NIH submission schedule. Award ceiling and expected award counts are not specified in the provided text, which is also common for NIH opportunities where budgets follow standard mechanism limits and awards depend on appropriations and application volume.

Overall, PAR-25-355 is designed for investigators who want to test bold, multidisciplinary ideas about how HIV and its treatment interact with the aging process, and who can translate aging science into better HIV prevention and care strategies, particularly for older adults and other populations facing layered risks and health inequities. The strongest applications will usually be those that clearly define an aging-related innovation, articulate why HIV provides a unique or urgent context for the question, identify the population and setting with care, and map the project goals back to the OAR HIV/AIDS research priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.233, 93.242, 93.279, 93.313, 93.393, 93.396, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• 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 25 355

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