The NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is offering R21 grants to support innovative and exploratory research projects aimed at eliminating HIV proteins by targeting viral RNA or proteins for degradation. This approach seeks to develop new strategies beyond traditional small molecule inhibitors, which have been met with resistance. The R21 mechanism funds early-stage studies, including proof-of-concept projects, that focus on degrading viral proteins or interfering with HIV RNA processing. Preliminary data is not required but can be included if available.

This funding opportunity, RFA-AI-24-064, offers up to $275,000 in direct costs over a two-year project period, with a maximum of $200,000 in any given year. Research should focus on intracellular HIV targets and include strategies like blocking translation, degrading viral RNA, or targeting host proteins crucial for HIV replication. Clinical trials are not allowed, and research involving non-human primates or latency reversal strategies will not be accepted.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign institutions, higher education entities, and for-profit organizations. Applications are due by December 4, 2024, with the earliest start date in July 2025. This grant is ideal for researchers aiming to explore novel HIV treatment strategies at an early development stage.