The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its participating institutes—the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)—announces a funding opportunity titled "Opportunities for HIV Cure Strategies at the Time of ART Initiation (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)." This grant opportunity seeks to support early-stage, exploratory research aimed at developing HIV cure strategies that can be administered either at the start of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) or when cART is restarted after an analytical treatment interruption (ATI). The ultimate goal of this initiative is to achieve a sustained, treatment-free remission of HIV.

The grant encourages both basic and targeted intervention research. It prioritizes studies conducted during the early phases of HIV, SHIV, or SIV infections, either before complete viral suppression is achieved through cART or immediately after a treatment interruption. The types of research supported include investigations into the dynamics of viral reservoirs, interventions to limit reservoir seeding, and immunologic strategies to eliminate HIV-infected cells. The use of human clinical samples and animal models is permitted, with a preference for therapeutic strategies first evaluated in vitro before in vivo testing. Clinical trials are not allowed under this funding opportunity.

The funding covers a two-year project period with a maximum combined direct cost budget of $275,000 and a limit of $200,000 per year. Applications are expected to explore novel mechanisms and innovative interventions not yet approved for HIV treatment. Research teams are encouraged to include interdisciplinary collaborations, early-career investigators, and industry partners where appropriate. The initiative aligns with specific programmatic interests from participating institutes, including NICHD’s focus on pediatric HIV infection, NIMH’s focus on the brain and central nervous system, and communication science to enhance informed consent.

Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Native American tribal entities, independent school districts, and foreign institutions. Applications must be submitted electronically through NIH-approved systems, and all standard NIH application instructions must be followed. The opportunity is open to new and resubmission applications, but only those that propose interventions administered within one month of cART initiation will be considered responsive.

The grant uses the R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism. It supports conceptual frameworks and methodological innovation over extensive background or preliminary data. Applications will be reviewed based on NIH standard peer review criteria, including significance, innovation, investigators, environment, and approach. Additional review will focus on responsiveness to the goals of early cART-associated cure strategies, novelty, integration of private sector collaborators, and translatability to clinical settings. The application due dates follow the NIH standard AIDS schedule, with key submission windows in January, May, and September each year through September 8, 2026.