Eradication of HIV-1 from Central Nervous system Reservoirs (R01) | PA 17 084

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 084

The Eradication of HIV-1 from Central Nervous System Reservoirs (R01) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-084) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant solicitation aimed at advancing research on why HIV-1 persists in the central nervous system (CNS) even when a person is on effective antiretroviral therapy and has viral suppression in the blood. The central purpose is to support studies that clarify the biological mechanisms that allow HIV-1 to remain in the CNS and to develop, test, or refine strategies that could ultimately eliminate (eradicate) these CNS reservoirs or otherwise neutralize their clinical impact. The FOA emphasizes that work can be both basic and translational, meaning it can range from fundamental lab-based discovery (such as identifying cell types and pathways involved in persistence) to research that moves toward practical interventions, biomarkers, or therapeutic approaches relevant to patient care.

A key feature of the announcement is its specific focus on the CNS context of viral suppression. In practical terms, the FOA is concerned with HIV-1 persistence that remains despite treatment success as typically measured in peripheral blood. This focus recognizes that the CNS has unique biology, immune environment, and drug penetration constraints that can create sanctuary-like conditions for HIV-1. The announcement therefore encourages research that investigates how HIV behaves in CNS compartments, how viral persistence may be maintained in brain-associated cells, and what eradication strategies could work in the CNS without causing unacceptable neurotoxicity or inflammation. Projects that address the challenges of measuring and targeting HIV within CNS tissues and fluids are aligned with the intent of the program.

The FOA is open to a wide range of scientific approaches and settings, explicitly welcoming studies conducted in both domestic (U.S.) and international environments. It also signals strong interest in multidisciplinary science, encouraging (but not requiring) collaborative teams and alliances. This language typically supports applications that integrate expertise across fields such as virology, neuroimmunology, neurology, pharmacology, imaging, clinical HIV medicine, neuropathology, computational biology, and biomarker development. While collaboration is not mandatory, the FOA clearly frames CNS HIV persistence as a complex problem that can benefit from coordinated perspectives and shared resources.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicant organizations. Standard eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments; 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA additionally highlights categories often emphasized by NIH for inclusivity and capacity building, 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, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations. This breadth indicates NIH is seeking a diverse applicant pool and is open to proposals that leverage different institutional strengths, including community and international partners where appropriate.

From the administrative details provided, the funding instrument is an NIH research project grant (R01), falling under the health funding activity category, and tied to CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.853, 93.855, and 93.856. The FOA was created on 2016-12-13, and the original closing date listed is 2020-05-07. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided source data, so applicants would typically consult the full FOA text and NIH institute/center participation to understand budget expectations, project period norms, and whether any special review considerations apply.

Overall, this opportunity targets one of the hardest remaining barriers to an HIV cure: persistent virus in anatomically and immunologically distinct compartments of the body, with the CNS being a high-priority reservoir because of its clinical consequences and the complexity of safely delivering eradication strategies to the brain. The FOA is structured to support rigorous mechanistic studies as well as translational paths that could help move CNS-focused HIV cure research from concept to actionable interventions.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Eradication of HIV-1 from Central Nervous system Reservoirs (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.853, 93.855, 93.856.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-12-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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.

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