External Funding Opportunities
***Limited Submission***
Mellon Foundation
Program: Sawyer Seminars
Synopsis: Supports the meaningful engagement of faculty, other academic leaders, and visitors from a variety of fields in the study of academic freedom and democracy in the American university. The Foundation seeks to support seminars that demonstrate through humanistic methods the ways in which a higher education system featuring a multiplicity of perspectives, thoughts, and voices is essential to a functional democracy.
Award details: $300K
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/mellon-foundation-sawyer-seminars-program/
External announcement on website: https://www.mellon.org/article/sawyer-seminars
USC Internal due date: September 13, 2024.
External due date: November 20, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NSF / Directorate for STEM Education — Division of Undergraduate Education
Program: NSF National Resource Coordination Center on Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)
Solicitation #: 24-596
Synopsis: Supports the creation of an NSF National Resource Coordination Center on Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) (IUSE Center) that will be an intellectual partner to the IUSE: EDU community and NSF. The goal of the IUSE Center is to serve as a focal point and intellectual partner for the IUSE: EDU community. The objectives of the IUSE Center are to
- Enhance the reach and influence of IUSE investments by facilitating communication, engagement, and networking among IUSE: EDU award recipients, prospective recipients, and other stakeholders; and
- Provide support and resources for development and maintenance of IUSE: EDU projects, especially for prospective recipients and those underrepresented in the IUSE: EDU award recipient community.
The IUSE Center will be expected to work collaboratively with NSF and the IUSE: EDU community to design, implement, and execute its activities and ensure the inclusion of diverse educators and education researchers representing the full range of the nation's talent pool, of eligible institutions and organizations, and of STEM education efforts funded through the IUSE: EDU Program.
Award details: $7.5M for 5-year project.
USC Internal Announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-24-596/
Announcement on website: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf24596.pdf
USC Internal due date: September 13, 2024.
Application due date: November 14, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NSF / Across Most Directorates, including GEO, BIO, STEM, TIP and MPS
Program: National Science Foundation Research Trainee
Solicitation #: 24-597
Synopsis: Supports programs for graduate students in research-based master's and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas, through a comprehensive traineeship model that is innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs. Proposals are requested that address any interdisciplinary or convergent research theme of national priority. Proposals may be submitted under two tracks (i.e., Track 1 and Track 2). While all projects should include a focus on STEM graduate students in research-based Ph.D. and / or master's degree programs; NSF requires that Track 2 proposals focus on programs from institutions NOT classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity (R1). Please refer to Carnegie Basic Classifications for more information.
Award details: Track 1 proposals may request a total budget up to $3 million for projects up to five years in duration; Track 2 proposals may request a total budget up to $2 million for projects up to five years in duration.
USC Announcement on website: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-24-597/
Announcement on website: https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/nsf24597.pdf
USC Internal due date: September 13, 2024.
External due date: Annual due dates: Next due date is November 14, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NIH / National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Program: The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award
NOFO #: RFA-CA-23-042
Synopsis: Supports outstanding graduate students recognized by their institutions for their high potential and strong interest in pursuing careers as independent cancer researchers. The award will facilitate the transition of talented graduate students into successful cancer research postdoctoral appointments and provide opportunities for career development activities relevant to their long-term career goals of becoming independent cancer researchers. The F99/K00 award is meant to provide up to 6 years of support in two phases. The initial (F99) phase will provide support for 1-2 years of dissertation research (final experiments, dissertation preparation, and selection of a postdoctoral mentor). The second (K00) phase will provide mentored postdoctoral research and career development support, contingent upon successful completion of the doctoral degree requirements and securing a cancer-focused postdoctoral position at a new institution.
Award details: the F99 phase, award budgets are composed of stipends, tuition and fees, and institutional allowance up to 2 years. For the K00 phase, award budgets are composed of salary and fringe benefits, other program-related expenses up to 4 years. More details in the NOFO.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/rfa-ca-23-042-the-nci-predoctoral-to-postdoctoral-fellow-transition-award-f99-k00-clinical-trial-not-allowed/
External Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-23-042.html
USC internal due date: September 13, 2024.
External due date: November 19, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NSF / Across Directorates (including MPS, BIO, GEO, STEM, SBE, TIP and others)
Program: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program Instrument Acquisition or Development
Solicitation #: NSF-23-519
Synopsis: Supports the acquisition of critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.
Award details: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100K and less than $1.400M; Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400M up to and including $4,000M; and Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100K and less than or equal to $4M that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-23-519/
External announcement: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/major-research-instrumentation-program-mri/nsf23-519/solicitation
USC Internal due date: September 16, 2024.
External due date: November 15, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NSF / Across Directorates (including MPS, BIO, GEO, STEM, SBE, TIP and others)
Program: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program Instrument Acquisition or Development
Solicitation #: NSF-23-519
Synopsis: Supports the acquisition of critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.
Award details: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100K and less than $1.400M; Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400M up to and including $4.400M; and Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100K and less than or equal to $4M that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-23-519/
External announcement: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/major-research-instrumentation-program-mri/nsf23-519/solicitation
USC Internal due date: September 16, 2024.
External due date: November 15, 2024.
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American Academy of Religion
Program: Regional Development Grants
Synopsis: Supports special projects within regions on two tracks: (1) Seed funding to begin ongoing regional initiatives; and (2) One-time for funds special projects. Workshops, special programs, training events, and other innovative regional projects may be funded through this source. Where possible, projects should be designed so that they may be duplicated or transported to other regions.
Award details: Up to $4K. Note that indirect or overhead costs, donations, supplementary salary, research assistance, release time, or travel to the AAR Annual Meeting are ineligible expenses and cannot be funded by the grant.
Announcement on website: https://www.aarweb.org/AARMBR/Who-We-Are-/Grant-Programs-/Regional-Development-Grants.aspx
Application due date: September 23, 2024.
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Lloyd Library Museum
Program: Curtis Gates Lloyd Fellowship
Synopsis: Supports at the Lloyd Library & Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. On site use of the Library is required. Topics include Botany; Medicinal botany; Ethnobotany; Natural history; Conservation; Early travel and exploration; History of science; medicine and pharmacy; and medical and pharmaceutical illustration. Some expected outcomes of the fellowship are a paper publication, exhibition, video or website; public lecture;
Award details: $3K monthly stipend for 1 to 3 months.
Announcement on website: https://lloydlibrary.org/2021-curtis-gates-lloyd-fellowship/
Application due date: November 1, 2024. Fellowship must be completed between January 2025 and December 2025.
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Simons Foundation
Program: Targeted Grants to Institutes
Synopsis: Supports established institutes or centers in mathematics, theoretical physics and theoretical computer science through funding to help strengthen contacts within the international scientific community. Our aim is to enable institutes to extend and enhance their missions; this program will not provide primary support for operating or establishing an institute.
Award details: Up to $250K (including up to 20% indirect costs) annually for 3 years
Announcement on website: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/targeted-grants-to-institutes/
Application due date: October 3, 2024.
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Simons Foundation
Program: Simons Collaboration in Mathematics and the Physical Sciences
Synopsis: Supports inquiry of fundamental scientific questions of major importance in mathematics, theoretical physics and theoretical computer science. A Simons Collaboration in MPS should address a mathematical or theoretical topic where a significant, new development creates a novel area for exploration or provides a new direction for progress in an established field. The questions addressed by the collaboration may be concrete or conceptual, but there should be little doubt that answering them would constitute a major scientific milestone. Led by the collaboration Director (in collaboration with other PIs of the collaboration) the project should have clearly defined initial activities and goals by which progress and success can be measured. Proposal should include a core group of PIs that once the letter of inquiry is approved, can be expanded with other members, including inter-institutional and international collaborators. The support from the foundation should be seen as critical for the objectives of the project. Collaboration Director, as well as the PIs and co-Investigators must possess a Ph.D. The Collaboration Director must have a tenured faculty position. All other PIs and co-Investigators must have a tenured or tenure-track position.
Award details: Up to $2M per year for an initial 4 year period. This includes indirect costs. The total cost for the 4 years must not exceed $8M.
Announcement on website: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/grant/simons-collaborations-in-mathematics-and-the-physical-sciences/
Letter of Inquiry due date: October 31, 2024.
Full proposal due date (invited): February 25, 2024.
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Tianquiao & Chrissy Chen Institute
Program: Chen Institute and Science Prize for AI Accelerated Research
Synopsis: Supports and highlights the work of innovative AI researchers. The Institute’s goal is to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of resources and opportunities to foster groundbreaking advancements in AI that can help and accelerate research. Applications are evaluated by 1000 word essay describing applicant’s research.
Award details: Grand Prize of up to $30K, plus travel expenses and 5-year digital subscription to Science. 2 runner-up prize winners will be awarded $10K each.
Announcement on website: https://www.cheninstitute.org/prize and https://www.science.org/content/page/chen-institute-science-prize-ai-accelerated-research
Submission due date: December 13, 2024.
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Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS)
Program: Funding for Collaborative Research Groups (CRG)
Synopsis: Supports CRGs — a group of researchers with overlapping scientific interests and a common desire to collaborate —with research funding to facilitate postdoctoral appointments, event organization, and scientific exchanges. Funding allows a CRG to gather a significant portion of the world's experts in its research topic for a period of intense collaboration. Senior and early career investigators in Canada and the U.S. are eligible to apply.
Award details: $176,118 (240 CAD) over 3 years
Announcement on website: https://www.pims.math.ca/programs/scientific/collaborative-research-groups/about-collaborative-research-groups
Proposal due date: October 1, 2024.
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American Mathematical Society (AMS)
Program: AMS Mass Media Fellowship
Synopsis: Supports and sponsors a Mass Media Fellow each summer through the Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This program is designed to improve public understanding of science and technology by placing advanced science, mathematics and engineering students in newsrooms nationwide. Applicants must be a) enrolled as students (upper level undergraduate or graduate); b) be a postdoctoral trainee; or c) apply within one year of the completion of a) or b). Applicants must be in the life, physical, health, engineering, computer or social sciences or mathematics and related fields with outstanding written and oral communication skills and a strong interest in learning about the media. Fellows observe and participate in the process by which events and ideas become news, improve their ability to communicate about complex technical subjects in a manner understandable to the public, and increase their understanding of editorial decision making and of how information is effectively disseminated. In its 45+ year history, the program has supported nearly 1,000 fellows.
Award details: $8K, plus travel expenses to and from AAAS and media outlets, to work for ten weeks during the summer months as reporters, researchers, and production assistants in media organizations.
Announcement on website: https://www.ams.org/government/government/massmediafellow
Application due date: January 1, 2024. Applications will open in 2024 fall.
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American Psychological Association
Program: Springfield LGBTQIA+ Congressional Fellowship
Synopsis: Supports psychologists with an invaluable public policy learning experience; to contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge in government; and to broaden awareness about the value of psychology-government interaction among psychologists and within the federal government. Applicants for this fellowship must have a background or interest in psychology as it pertains to health, wellbeing and civil rights of LGBTQIA+ populations. Fellowship activities may involve drafting legislation, conducting oversight work, assisting with congressional hearings and events, and preparing briefs and speeches.
Award details: Supports Congressional Fellow for a one-year appointment beginning approximately August 30, 2025. The fellowship stipend ranges from $75K to $90K, depending upon years of post-doctoral experience. In addition, the fellowship provides reimbursement for health insurance coverage and a $3,750 stipend for professional development and relocation expenses during the fellowship year. Final selection of fellows will be made in early spring of 2025.
Announcement on website: https://www.apa.org/about/awards/springfield-congressional-fellowship
Application due date: January 2, 2024.
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Biocodex Microbiota Foundation
Program: Call for Projects USA
Synopsis: Supports an early career investigator for research on the gut microbiota in human health and disease focusing on groundbreaking areas of research such as circadian rhythms, neurological conditions, metabolic disorders, and oncology. The grant may be applied to ongoing research or a new project. Eligible must have no more than 10 years postdoc experience. The grant is intended as a seeding or bridging grant, to help investigators initiate or continue a project to become independent.
Award details: One award will be made for $50K.
Announcement on website: https://www.biocodexmicrobiotafoundation.com/national-research-grant/call-projects-usa
Application due date: October 1, 2024.
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McKnight Foundation
Program: Scholar Award
Synopsis: Supports neuroscientists in the early stages of their careers. The intent of the program is to foster the commitment by these scientists to research careers that will have an important impact on the study of the brain. The program seeks to support scientists committed to mentoring neuroscientists from underrepresented groups at all levels of training. Applicants for the McKnight Scholar Award must demonstrate their ability to solve significant problems in neuroscience, which may include the translation of basic research to clinical practice. They should demonstrate a commitment to an equitable and inclusive lab environment. Intellectual Property rights resulting from the research—including patents, copyrights, processes, or formulae—will be the rights of the sponsoring institution to the extent required by such policies.
Award details: $75K per year for 3 years. Up to 10 neuroscientists will be awarded the Scholar Award for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Announcement on website: https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/scholar-awards/
Application window: August 12, 2024 to January 13, 2025.
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National Endowment for the Humanities
Program: Dialogues on the Experience of War
Synopsis: Supports the development of humanities-focused discussion programs that enlarge the understanding of the meaning and experiences of military service and war. Through the training of facilitators for and the offering of these discussion programs, Dialogues projects enable veterans and nonveterans to explore together and in depth such topics as civic engagement, veteran identity, legacies of military service, the human costs of war, and homecoming. This engagement in reflective and recursive discussions fosters intellectual community and social connections among the participants in Dialogues projects. Project teams should include humanities scholars, military veterans, and individuals with relevant experience.
Award details: Maximum award is $100K
Announcement on website: https://www.neh.gov/grants/education/dialogues-the-experience-war
Application due date: September 17, 2024.
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Department of Energy (DoE) / Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
Program: Carbon Capture, Removal, and Conversion Test Centers
Funding Opportunity #: DE-FOA-0003365
Synopsis: Supports the overall goal Executive Order 14008 ““Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” this suite of carbon management technologies, including capture, removal, conversion, transport and storage, that must be developed and deployed in a just and equitable manner to help the nation achieve its climate ambitions, and promote its overall energy, environmental and economic progress. The development of these technologies supports the ambitious goals for a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050, a carbon pollution free power sector by 2035, and a fifty percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, projects funded under this Funding Opportunity Announcement are expected to (1) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); (2) contribute to energy equality; and (3) invest in America’s workforce. To ensure these objectives are met, applications must include a R&D Community Benefits Plan (R&D Community Benefits Plan) that addresses the three objectives stated above. Broadly, there are 3 areas of interest (AOI)
- Carbon Capture, Removal, and Conversion Test Center at an Electric Generating Unit;
- Enabling Capital Improvements at Existing Carbon Capture Test Facilities; and
- Carbon Capture, Removal, and Conversion Test Center at a Cement Manufacturing Facility.
Award details: For AOI-1, AOI-2, and AOI-3 (Phase 2), Applicants are strongly encouraged to propose cost share requirement in excess of 30% which could result in higher total award values. For AOI-3 Phase 1, a minimum cost share of 20% is required. Applicants may propose cost share in excess of 20% which could result in higher total award value. Depending on AOI, projects range from 1 to 5 years.
Announcement on website: Carbon Capture, Removal and Conversion Test Center
Application due date: October 31, 2024.
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NSF / Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences / Division of Chemistry
Program: Computational Data-Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E)
Synopsis: Supports projects that harness computation and data to advance knowledge and accelerate discovery above and beyond the goals of the participating individual programs. The intellectual drivers may be in an individual discipline or cut across more than one discipline in various Divisions and Directorates. A CDS&E proposal should enable and/or utilize the development and adaptation of advances in research and infrastructure in computational and data science. A CDS&E proposal should enable and / or utilize the development and adaptation of advances in research and infrastructure in computational and data science. The goal is to make major scientific and engineering breakthroughs through new computational and data-analysis approaches and best practices. A CDS&E proposal should be submitted to one of the "Related Programs" or Divisions by the associated submission window, deadline, or target date listed. In selecting the most relevant program, PIs are advised to read program descriptions and solicitations carefully and consult with cognizant Program Officers before proposal preparation. Proposal submissions outside the receiving program's scientific scope may be transferred to a different program or returned without review.
Announcement on website: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/computational-data-enabled-science-engineering-0
Application due dates: Varies by program.
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NIH / National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Program: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Risk and Disease Following Nervous System Exposures at Biological Interfaces with the Environment (R01)
NOFO #: PAR-24-270
Synopsis: Supports research projects seeking to determine how exogenous environmental risk factors (ERFs) affect ADRD disease mechanisms and phenotypic outcomes through innervated human surfaces. Exogenous ERFs include toxins and toxic chemicals, other pathogens, and other environmental exposures that reach innervated human surfaces. These surfaces include the gut, mouth, throat, lungs, nasal passages, skin and other surfaces that interface with the outside world. The scope of this NOFO includes mechanistic research relevant to ADRD to determine the effect(s) of exogenous ERFs at nervous system biological interfaces. Studies to identify exogenous ERFs at these biological interfaces are also allowed if the mechanistic influence of these exposures is also included in the research plan. This initiative will require team science between neuroscientists that have deep expertise in ADRD research with experts in environmental science with knowledge of toxicity to the nervous system. Examples of exogenous ERFs responsive to this NOFO include the following
include
- Water and soil contamination: heavy metals, pathogens, pesticides, and industrial chemicals in drinking water;
- Climate change: extreme weather events, altered disease patterns, food and water shortages;
- Built environment: Factors such as poor housing conditions, inadequate sanitation, urban sprawl, and lack of green spaces
Research projects of interest include
- Identification of novel, potentially modifiable targets of ADRD;
- Long-term: Reduction in ADRD based on newer clinical and environmental intervention strategies;
- Detailed mechanistic data that demonstrates how exogenous ERFs interact with the body at biological interfaces that, in turn, influence ADRD.
Award details: Maximum application budget for direct costs is $500K. The maximum project period is 5 years.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-270.html
Application due date: October 4, 2024.
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NIH / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Program: Promoting Innovative Research in Treponema pallidum Pathogenesis (R21— Exploratory / Developmental research grant)
NOFO #: RFA-AI-24-071
Synopsis: Supports basic and exploratory research projects to advance our understanding of Treponema pallidum bacterial pathogenesis. Recent significant scientific advances in T. pallidum in vitro culture, transformation and targeted mutagenesis technology, and the availability of reagents for use in the guinea pig model (rather than the more expensive and complex rabbit model) of congenital syphilis lowers historic barriers to basic syphilis research and may facilitate the entrance of new investigators into the field of syphilis research. Areas of interest include (partial)
- Identification and confirmation of integral outer membrane proteins (adhesion, invasion and dissemination, antigenic variation and immune evasion — genes and mutation involved);
- Genetic transformation targeting genes associated with pathogenicity; and
- In vitro host-pathogen interaction and immunologic studies.
Award details: Maximum budget request is $275K for direct costs for two-year project period. No single year’s budget should exceed $200K.
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AI-24-071.html
Letter of Intent due date: 30 days prior to submission of application.
Application due date: November 4, 2024.
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NIH / National Institute on Drug Abuse
Program: Advancing Research on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms that Influence the Interplay Between Sex Hormones, HIV, and Addictive Substances (R01 and the exploratory R21)
NOFO #’s: RFA-DA-26-007; RFA-DA-26-008
Synopsis: Supports studies to delineate the mechanisms by which sex hormones influence the consequences of comorbid HIV and drug use and use this knowledge to explore biological mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets to address HIV-substance use disorder (SUD) comorbidity. High-risk high reward projects that lack preliminary data may be most appropriate for the R21 mechanism. Applicants with preliminary data may wish to apply for the companion R01. Areas of research that are of interest include (partial)
- Role of sex hormones in the development of neuronal, glial, or synaptic impairments caused by HIV in the presence of addictive substance
- Development of novel tools, methods, and probe molecules to investigate specific biochemical pathways and interaction networks by which gonadal hormones and addictive substances influence HIV latency and transcription in the Central Nervous System (CNS).
- Hormonal signaling pathways that can be therapeutically modulated to prevent or mitigate deleterious outcomes in comorbid HIV and drug use.
Award details: R01: $400K; R21: The combined budget for direct costs for the two year project period may not exceed $275K. No more than $200K may be requested in any single year.
Announcements on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-26-007.html; https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-26-008.htm
Application due date: March 13, 2025 for all AIDS application.
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