The National Institutes of Health (NIH), in partnership with multiple institutes including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and others, has reissued the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (D-CFAR). This initiative aims to strengthen and expand HIV/AIDS research infrastructure at institutions to support basic and translational research. D-CFARs are intended to help institutions address gaps or deficiencies in their HIV/AIDS research programs, ultimately preparing them to apply for a standard CFAR grant. The program provides shared research resources, core facilities, and administrative support to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration across various fields related to HIV/AIDS.

D-CFARs are expected to offer "added value" to existing institutional research programs by supporting activities that are difficult to accomplish through standard research awards. For example, the Developmental Core funds short-term projects to support early-career HIV/AIDS researchers or investigators new to the field. The Advanced Technology Core focuses on providing specialized equipment, training, and services that would not otherwise be available, while the Clinical Science Core facilitates translational research involving direct or indirect interaction with human subjects. Additional Cores may be proposed if justified, such as those focused on implementation science, biostatistics, or behavioral research.

D-CFAR awards offer significant funding, with a base amount of $1 million annually per center for up to five years. The program encourages collaborations with local, state, and international organizations, including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). These collaborations may include training, mentoring, and shared resources to strengthen HIV/AIDS research. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to address NIH’s priority HIV/AIDS research areas, which include prevention, treatment, and care for underserved populations.

Eligible applicants are limited to U.S.-based higher education institutions and research organizations that have a minimum HIV/AIDS research funding base of $10 million annually from NIH sources. Only one D-CFAR application per institution is allowed. The D-CFAR program requires strong institutional support, including commitments of space, funding, and resources that will enhance the success of the proposed center. Institutions applying for a D-CFAR are encouraged to demonstrate how their proposed cores and collaborations will support HIV/AIDS research across various disciplines and investigator levels.

Applications are due annually, with upcoming deadlines in August 2024 and August 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of intent 30 days prior to the application due date to facilitate review planning. The process is highly competitive, and only one D-CFAR application per institution is permitted. Prospective applicants should work closely with NIH program staff to ensure alignment with NIH HIV/AIDS research priorities and to prepare a strong application.

A unique requirement for this FOA is the submission of a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which aims to promote diversity and inclusion within the scientific workforce. This plan will be evaluated as part of the overall scientific and technical merit of the application. Additionally, applications must follow NIH guidelines for data sharing and management, particularly for clinical and genomic data, and should demonstrate institutional commitment through financial and administrative support.