The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), as part of its Racial Equity Initiative (REI), is issuing a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to support pilot or feasibility research on the structural, social, cultural, and contextual factors that contribute to HIV-related health disparities among underserved racial and ethnic minority populations affected by HIV and substance use in the U.S. This initiative, titled "Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use," aims to generate preliminary data and insights to inform subsequent, more extensive research on the intersection of HIV and substance use within the context of health inequities. This FOA, numbered RFA-DA-23-062, allows for either clinical or non-clinical trials, offering flexible study designs to advance understanding and intervention in this area. Applications must demonstrate engagement with end-users such as community organizations and policymakers to ensure practical impact and alignment with community needs.

The REI FOA emphasizes the critical importance of addressing systemic racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes related to HIV and substance use. The need for this initiative is highlighted by persistent racial disparities in HIV rates, where African American, Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), Black women, and transgender individuals are disproportionately affected by HIV. The initiative is aligned with the Department of Health and Human Services' Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) program, which seeks to reduce new HIV infections in the U.S. by 90% by 2030. By promoting innovative and community-centered solutions, this FOA seeks to contribute to the EHE’s four key areas: diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and response.

Eligible projects under this FOA can include observational studies that examine how social, policy, and structural factors perpetuate health disparities, as well as intervention studies testing strategies to reduce these disparities in HIV and substance use outcomes. Studies must include a minimum of 50% of participants from racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. (including African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander individuals), and may also include sexual and gender minority populations. Studies are expected to address dimensions such as stigma, cultural competence, healthcare accessibility, mistrust, and systemic racism. Research that utilizes existing datasets (e.g., from NAHDAP or NIMH) is encouraged, though primary data collection is also supported.

The FOA has a funding cap of $450,000 in direct costs for a maximum project period of three years. Yearly budgets cannot exceed $225,000. NIDA anticipates awarding between five to nine grants under this FOA and its companion R01 opportunity (RFA-DA-23-061), with a total budget of $3 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local governments, and tribal governments. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.

Applicants are required to submit a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), a document outlining strategies for inclusivity in the research process, such as collaborating with minority-serving institutions or involving underrepresented groups in the research team. Community engagement is essential to this initiative, with a preference for studies that include community partners in the design and execution phases to ensure culturally competent and practical research approaches. Letters of support from community stakeholders are encouraged to substantiate these collaborations.

The deadline for application submission is November 14, 2024, with letters of intent due 30 days prior. All applications must comply with NIH's standard submission requirements and undergo a two-level review process, assessing the scientific and technical merit, potential community impact, and alignment with program priorities. Final award notifications will follow the Advisory Council review in May 2025, with funded projects expected to start by July 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow for correction of submission errors.