The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites applications for the R34 Planning Grant mechanism titled "Formative and Pilot Intervention Research to Optimize HIV Prevention and Care Continuum Outcomes." This funding opportunity supports the early stages of intervention development, including pilot testing and formative implementation research. The goal is to enhance HIV prevention and treatment strategies, with a focus on assessing feasibility, acceptability, and safety. The R34 mechanism is ideal for small-scale studies that inform future larger trials or implementation efforts and encourages applications that align with NIMH's Division of AIDS Research (DAR) priorities.

This funding opportunity emphasizes the development of behavioral, social, and structural interventions, as well as biomedical combinations, that target HIV prevention or treatment outcomes. Researchers are encouraged to explore innovative approaches, such as using technology or social media, addressing mental health, trauma, or stigma, and focusing on underserved populations. Projects should aim to improve key outcomes like HIV testing, linkage to care, retention in prevention or treatment services, and re-engagement of people who have dropped out of care. Additionally, research may investigate barriers to care, disparities in treatment uptake, or strategies for scaling interventions.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, non-profits, small businesses, local and state governments, and foreign entities. Minority-serving institutions (MSIs), such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving Institutions, are strongly encouraged to apply. Projects must involve community members or relevant organizations, such as health providers or public health agencies, as collaborators in the research process. Applications from multidisciplinary teams that address complex HIV-related challenges are particularly welcomed.

The R34 mechanism offers up to $225,000 per year in direct costs, with a maximum project duration of three years. Applicants should focus on collecting preliminary data on the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of proposed interventions but are advised not to aim for clinical outcome testing or large-scale effect size estimation. The goal of this funding is to develop and pilot-test interventions that could be scaled in future research.

Applications are accepted multiple times a year until January 2026. Submission deadlines are set in May, September, and January of each year, with reviews occurring shortly after. All submissions must follow the detailed guidelines provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, including NIH’s new data management and sharing policies. Successful applicants will be notified by the NIH through a formal Notice of Award.

Researchers are encouraged to contact NIMH program officers early in the application process to ensure alignment with program priorities and to reference any Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs) relevant to the proposed work. Data sharing and management are critical aspects of the application, and investigators are required to submit their data to the NIMH Data Archive.