The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: Data Analysis and Sharing Center (DASC) for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS)." This opportunity, under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HL-26-010, is part of a collaborative effort to renew the MWCCS for a six-year period from 2026 to 2032. This initiative seeks to sustain and enhance the study of approximately 5,700 deeply phenotyped participants, focusing on middle-aged and older adults living with HIV (PLWH) and comparable participants living without HIV (PLWOH). The MWCCS examines the impact of multiscale health determinants using a populomics approach to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

The purpose of this funding is to continue the epidemiological study of HIV and associated comorbidities, advancing understanding of factors affecting quality of life and survival for adults living with HIV. The project aligns with NIH priorities and the federal initiative to end the HIV epidemic, focusing on aging populations and disparities in HIV outcomes. The DASC will serve as a central hub for data management, modernization, and sharing, supporting the broader MWCCS efforts to provide comprehensive data and promote cutting-edge HIV research.

This funding opportunity will allocate $3 million annually, shared among multiple NIH Institutes and Centers, to support a single award. Eligible institutions are those previously funded under RFA-HL-19-007. The total project budget cannot exceed $2 million in direct costs annually for the six-year period. Applications must propose plans for systems modernization, data security, data management and sharing, and biospecimen protection, among other core responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include supporting multi-site collaborations, providing biostatistical resources, and ensuring quality control in cohort operations.

Applications are limited to U.S. entities and must meet specific eligibility criteria, including institutional registrations in SAM.gov and other systems. The submission process involves multiple steps, beginning with a letter of intent at least 30 days before the application due date and culminating in full application submission through the NIH ASSIST system or Grants.gov by May 2, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to use NIH-supported tools like the Common Data Element (CDE) Resource Portal and comply with the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy.

Evaluation will emphasize the importance of the research, the rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the expertise of the investigative team. Key review criteria include the project's potential to advance knowledge, the quality of the study design, and the adequacy of plans for data sharing and collaboration. Additional considerations will include compliance with human subjects and data security requirements.

Important dates include an open submission date of April 2, 2025, with applications due May 2, 2025. Scientific merit reviews are expected in November 2025, with advisory council review in January 2026 and the earliest award start date in April 2026. Applicants are advised to thoroughly review all application instructions and policy updates to ensure compliance and competitiveness. For assistance, NIH provides dedicated contacts for scientific, administrative, and financial inquiries.