Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 161

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 161

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement PA 18 161, titled "Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)," is a discretionary grant program that supports early-stage, exploratory research on symptom management for people living with long-term HIV, particularly older adults who are increasingly affected by additional health problems beyond traditional AIDS-defining illnesses. It uses the R21 mechanism, which is designed for innovative, developmental projects that can generate preliminary data, test new concepts, and lay the groundwork for larger future studies. Clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants can propose either non-trial research (such as intervention development, adaptation, feasibility work, or observational and methodological studies) or a clinical trial if the aims require testing an intervention in human participants.

The core focus is on improving how symptoms are prevented, identified, and managed when HIV coexists with other conditions, especially HIV-associated Non-AIDS conditions (often referred to as HANA) and other comorbidities. In practical terms, the opportunity is geared toward research that recognizes that many people with prolonged HIV infection experience complex symptom burdens tied to aging, chronic inflammation, long-term antiretroviral therapy, and common comorbid diseases. Projects are expected to explore strategies that are not only scientifically sound and innovative, but also cost-effective and realistic to implement in clinical or community settings. The emphasis on cost-effectiveness signals an interest in approaches that can be scaled, sustained, and integrated into real-world care, rather than solutions that only work in highly resourced research environments.

The type of work encouraged under this FOA includes developing new symptom-management interventions, adapting existing interventions for the needs of older adults with HIV, and testing promising strategies for feasibility, acceptability, and early signals of benefit. This can include approaches that address symptom clusters (for example, fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, depression, and cognitive complaints that may occur together), strategies to improve symptom detection and monitoring (including technology-enabled screening or patient-reported outcomes), and care models that coordinate symptom management across multiple comorbid conditions. Because comorbidities in older adults with HIV can span cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, neurocognitive issues, liver and kidney disease, mental health conditions, and other chronic illnesses, proposals can reasonably target the intersections where HIV and these conditions compound symptom burden, reduce functioning, and increase healthcare utilization.

In terms of eligibility, the program is broadly open to many organization types, reflecting NIH's intent to encourage diverse applicants and settings. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations may apply where appropriate. This broad eligibility aligns with the real-world nature of symptom management research, which often benefits from partnerships among academic centers, community clinics, public health agencies, and community-based organizations.

The funding details included in the source indicate an award ceiling of $200,000, and the funding activity is categorized under education and health with CFDA number 93.361. While the listing notes an original closing date of January 7, 2020, the summary value of the FOA is in its purpose and scope: supporting innovative, preliminary symptom-management research for older adults living long-term with HIV and multiple comorbidities, with an explicit push toward interventions and strategies that can be delivered efficiently and affordably in the settings where people actually receive care.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (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): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-07. (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.

Apply for PA 18 161

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