AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 072

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 072

The AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (A-START) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) designed to help newly independent and early career investigators enter or strengthen their work in drug abuse research related to HIV/AIDS. The program uses the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism, which is meant for focused, smaller-scope projects that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources. A key goal of this FOA is to support early-stage investigators as they build the initial evidence, pilot data, or proof-of-concept findings that can position them for larger future grants and a longer-term research trajectory in the HIV/AIDS and substance use field.

The opportunity is titled "AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-18-072). "Clinical Trial Optional" indicates that applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial, but they are not required to do so; non-trial research is equally acceptable as long as it aligns with NIDA's HIV/AIDS research priorities connected to drug use, substance use disorders, or related behavioral, social, biomedical, and public health questions. NIDA explicitly welcomes applications from all areas of HIV/AIDS research it supports, which broadens the scope to include many possible approaches, such as prevention, treatment engagement and retention, implementation science, behavioral interventions, comorbidities, health disparities, and other topics at the intersection of substance use and HIV.

In terms of funding scale, the award ceiling listed is $100,000, reflecting the R03's role as a smaller, targeted grant rather than a large multi-year program project. The FOA is categorized as a discretionary grant in the areas of education and health, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.279. The original closing date provided for this specific announcement was September 7, 2018, and the record notes a creation date of November 15, 2017. These dates matter if someone is looking for the current, active version of the program, since NIH opportunities are often reissued under new numbers and due dates even when the scientific intent remains similar.

Eligibility is broad and includes many kinds of organizations that commonly apply for NIH research funding. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city, and 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types that NIH specifically encourages or recognizes, 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, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities. Taken together, this emphasis signals an interest in inclusive participation and in supporting research capacity and perspectives from a wide range of communities and institutional settings, especially those that may be positioned to address HIV and substance use disparities.

Overall, PA-18-072 A-START is best understood as an entry and transition mechanism: it targets investigators at an early point in independence and offers a manageable funding structure to launch or redirect a research program toward high-impact questions where drug abuse and HIV/AIDS intersect. The practical expectation is a tightly designed project with clear aims that can be executed efficiently, producing results that help the investigator establish credibility in the area and compete for larger NIDA/NIH awards later.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-09-07. (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 $100,000.00 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 18 072

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: