The NIH seeks applications under the R01 Research Project Grant mechanism to develop and test interventions targeting stigma reduction for improved HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sponsored by multiple NIH institutes, including the Fogarty International Center (FIC), this opportunity will support up to three years of projects focused on reducing HIV-associated stigma, addressing multiple intersecting stigmas, and improving stigma measurement methods. Key goals include increasing care-seeking behaviors, decreasing HIV transmission rates, and enhancing quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) by lessening the impacts of stigma.

Research should address several specific areas, including novel stigma reduction strategies, reducing stigma impacts on youth, interventions addressing layered stigmas related to comorbidities or socio-structural issues, and support for caregivers and family members of PLWH who also face stigma. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to develop improved measurement tools for assessing stigma within intervention contexts. The intent is to encourage innovation in addressing stigma and to explore ways that interventions can effectively remove stigma-related barriers to HIV care and prevention across a variety of LMIC populations.

The program’s funding is structured for exploratory research with a total budget not exceeding $400,000 over three years, capped at $200,000 annually. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, and other relevant organizations, both domestic and non-domestic, provided they meet NIH’s registration requirements with SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Collaborative teams are highly encouraged, especially those including LMIC institutions to bolster local research capacity. The collaboration should ideally enhance LMIC institutions' expertise in conducting stigma research and ensure sustainable impact on HIV care in LMIC settings.

Applications must follow the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and include a detailed research strategy outlining the target stigma-related issue, intervention strategies, methods for evaluation, and outcome measures, including both biological and behavioral indicators. Capacity-building components should be integrated, particularly where research can reinforce LMIC institutions' capability to sustain stigma-reduction research. Preliminary data are not required, but a solid research premise based on existing literature is necessary.

The review will assess significance, innovation, approach, the qualifications of the research team, and the LMIC-focused research environment. Applicants should provide strong justification for their proposed methodologies, and, if applicable, adherence to NIH guidelines for human subjects and clinical trials. For studies involving clinical trials, NIH's updated guidelines mandate a clear hypothesis, target intervention points, and a framework for evaluating intervention effectiveness on health outcomes.

Award notifications will be managed in compliance with NIH policies, and selected applicants will be required to submit annual progress reports and fulfill data-sharing requirements per NIH’s Data Management and Sharing Plan. NIH encourages early application submission to resolve any issues before the due date.