Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 833

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 833

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), through its Division of AIDS Research (DAR), is soliciting applications for Developmental AIDS Research Centers (D-ARC) using the NIH P30 Center Core Grant mechanism under funding opportunity PAR-18-833. The central purpose of this program is to build and strengthen shared research infrastructure that helps investigators generate high-impact, mission-relevant science at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and mental health. Rather than primarily paying for one stand-alone research project, a P30 D-ARC is meant to create the kind of institutional backbone that makes multiple HIV and mental health studies possible, stronger, and more competitive over time.

The scope is intentionally broad and interdisciplinary, reflecting the many ways mental health and HIV influence each other across biological, clinical, and community contexts. NIMH highlights interest in innovative research spanning basic science, neurological research including neuro-HIV, behavioral and social science, integrated biobehavioral approaches, applied and clinical research, translational science, and implementation science. In practical terms, the Center is expected to support and accelerate research that can move from foundational mechanisms to real-world interventions, including work focused on improving prevention, care engagement, treatment outcomes, and mental health functioning among people affected by HIV.

Because this is a Center Core (P30) program, the emphasis is on creating shared resources, services, and coordinated supports that can be used by multiple investigators. Typical P30 structures in NIH programs often involve administrative leadership and a set of scientific cores (for example, methods, clinical support, biostatistics, data management, behavioral assessment, neuroimaging, community engagement, or implementation support), along with developmental components that help launch new lines of research. The word "Developmental" in D-ARC signals a strong interest in growing capacity: helping early-stage or new-to-HIV investigators, fostering new collaborations, piloting innovative ideas, and positioning the institution to compete for larger, independent research grants in the future. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that clinical trials may be included if they fit the Center's goals, but they are not required.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations: 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other organizations that meet NIH eligibility rules. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicants such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is limited in a way that is common for NIH center programs. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the main applicant organization. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain well-justified international collaborations or activities as part of the proposed work when they are necessary to accomplish the project goals and meet NIH policy requirements.

From the funding details provided, the opportunity falls under the NIH health research assistance listing (CFDA 93.242) and is categorized as a discretionary grant. The listed award ceiling is $750,000, indicating the upper limit for annual direct costs or total costs as specified in the FOA (applicants would need to confirm the exact interpretation in the full announcement). The original closing date shown is September 11, 2020, and the opportunity was created on June 15, 2018, which suggests the posted cycle is historic; anyone interested in pursuing this type of funding would want to check NIH for the most current, active reissue or successor announcement and associated due dates.

Overall, this FOA is aimed at institutions that want to build a durable, cross-disciplinary HIV and mental health research ecosystem. A competitive application would typically demonstrate a compelling scientific vision aligned with NIMH priorities, a clear plan for cores and shared services that fill real institutional gaps, strong leadership and governance, strategies to support and develop investigators and new projects, and a credible path to producing high-impact outputs and future independent NIH funding in HIV/AIDS and mental health research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-06-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-11. (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 $750,000.00 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 PAR 18 833

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