Targeted Implementation Science to Achieve 90/90/90 Goals for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 280

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 280

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity "Targeted Implementation Science to Achieve 90/90/90 Goals for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-18-280) is a discretionary grant program intended to support short, focused implementation research projects that can help communities make measurable progress toward the global 90/90/90 HIV goals. The core idea is not simply to test whether an HIV intervention works in theory, but to study how to make proven HIV prevention and treatment strategies actually work better in real-world settings by addressing on-the-ground barriers in specific communities and service delivery systems. Projects are expected to be designed in partnership with domestic and international service providers so the research is practical, locally relevant, and directly connected to how care and prevention are delivered.

The FOA is explicitly anchored to the 90/90/90 targets widely adopted by HIV/AIDS leadership: first, that 90 percent of all people living with HIV know their HIV status (improving testing, diagnosis, and linkage from testing to care); second, that 90 percent of those diagnosed begin timely and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) (improving treatment initiation, retention in care, and reducing delays or drop-off); and third, that 90 percent of those on ART achieve sustained viral suppression (improving adherence support, clinical monitoring, service delivery quality, and long-term engagement). The announcement emphasizes "targeted" implementation science, meaning applicants should focus on the particular needs of the chosen community or service setting, rather than proposing generic improvements. In practice, this typically points to projects that identify bottlenecks along the HIV care continuum and test strategies for adoption, integration, scale-up, or sustainment of evidence-based approaches in clinics, community programs, public health systems, or hybrid service models.

The mechanism is an NIH R21, which is commonly used for exploratory or developmental research. This suggests the program is looking for well-justified, innovative, and feasible pilot or early-phase implementation studies that can produce actionable lessons and position teams for larger-scale follow-on work. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the implementation research question, but a clinical trial is not required. The award ceiling listed is $200,000, reinforcing that these are meant to be smaller, targeted projects rather than large, multi-year programmatic efforts.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations. This wide eligibility aligns with the FOA's emphasis on partnering with real-world service providers and reaching populations that may be underserved or disproportionately impacted by HIV.

From a topic standpoint, the funding activity is categorized under education and health, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.361. The opportunity was created on 2017-11-29, and the original closing date listed is 2020-01-07. Overall, the FOA is best understood as an NIH effort to accelerate progress toward the 90/90/90 benchmarks by funding practical implementation research that is embedded in service settings, tailored to local needs, and capable of improving outcomes across HIV testing, treatment initiation, and sustained viral suppression.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Targeted Implementation Science to Achieve 90/90/90 Goals for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment (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): 93.242, 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-29.
• 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.

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