Role of Myeloid Cells in Persistence and Eradication of HIV-1 Reservoirs from the Brain (R21) | RFA MH 18 301

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 18 301

The grant opportunity titled "Role of Myeloid Cells in Persistence and Eradication of HIV-1 Reservoirs from the Brain (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-18-301) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant focused on understanding and ultimately disrupting HIV-1 persistence within the central nervous system (CNS). The core idea behind the announcement is that, even when HIV is well controlled in the blood with antiretroviral therapy, the virus can remain in long-lived cellular reservoirs. This FOA emphasizes myeloid cells as a particularly important and challenging reservoir in the brain, and it encourages projects that clarify how HIV persists in these cells and how that persistence might be targeted to reduce or eliminate the brain reservoir.

This FOA is designed to support both basic science and translational research. On the basic side, applicants are encouraged to investigate the underlying mechanisms that allow HIV-1 to persist in CNS-associated myeloid populations, such as macrophages and microglia, including viral and host factors that promote latency, low-level replication, immune evasion, or survival of infected cells. On the translational side, the announcement is looking for strategies that could feasibly move the field toward interventions, meaning approaches that help identify, target, or clear infected myeloid cells in the brain or otherwise reduce the reservoir. The FOA explicitly notes that studies can be conducted in domestic or international settings, signaling that research involving global cohorts, unique clinical populations, or specialized international collaborations is welcome when scientifically justified.

The "R21" mechanism is an important part of what this opportunity is trying to accomplish. RFA-MH-18-301 uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21), which is typically meant for early-stage, innovative, or high-risk/high-reward ideas that may not yet have extensive preliminary data. The announcement even highlights that projects lacking preliminary data or projects that make strong use of existing datasets may be especially appropriate for the R21. In contrast, a companion FOA (RFA-MH-18-300) uses the R01 mechanism, which is generally better suited for more mature projects backed by substantial preliminary results. In practical terms, this means the R21 is meant to help researchers test novel hypotheses, pilot emerging methods, or open up new lines of inquiry related to HIV persistence in brain myeloid cells without needing to present the same depth of prior evidence often expected for an R01.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) and falls under education and health-related federal activity categories. The CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.242, 93.279, and 93.853. The FOA was created on May 1, 2017, and lists an original closing date of September 6, 2017. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, which frames the scale of work expected under this R21 call (often meaning a smaller, focused project aimed at generating key proof-of-concept results).

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive. In addition to standard applicants like public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses, the FOA allows applications from many government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those not federally recognized). The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also welcomes faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, the eligibility language signals a strong interest in encouraging diverse institutional participation and enabling research that may require specialized community ties, clinical access, or international infrastructure.

Collaboration is encouraged but not mandatory. The FOA notes that multidisciplinary teams and collaborative alliances are welcome, which fits the complexity of studying HIV persistence in the brain, where progress often depends on combining virology, immunology, neuroscience, imaging, neuropathology, clinical research, bioinformatics, and therapeutic development. At the same time, the announcement leaves room for smaller groups with a strong, focused idea to compete, which aligns well with the exploratory nature of an R21.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at pushing the field toward a clearer, mechanistic understanding of how HIV-1 survives in CNS myeloid cells and toward credible strategies for targeting that reservoir. It is positioned as a catalyst for innovative, potentially transformative projects that can generate the kinds of insights and feasibility data needed to support larger future studies, including subsequent R01-level efforts focused on HIV reservoir eradication in the brain.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Role of Myeloid Cells in Persistence and Eradication of HIV-1 Reservoirs from the Brain (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.279, 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-09-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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