Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DK 17 037

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 17 037

The Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-17-037) is an NIH grant announcement from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), specifically aligned with the Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (KUH). It supports innovative research that looks at HIV infection, HIV treatment, and the long-term health consequences of HIV through the lens of kidney disease, urologic conditions, and hematologic (blood-related) disorders. The intent is to encourage projects that deepen understanding of how HIV and its therapies affect these organ systems and disease areas, spanning both basic science and clinical research. Because it is an R01 mechanism, the expectation is for well-developed, hypothesis-driven projects with strong scientific justification, clear aims, and a plan that can produce meaningful, publishable outcomes.

The scientific scope is broad but mission-focused: proposals should connect HIV to kidney, urology, or hematology in a clear and central way. This can include studying mechanisms of HIV-associated kidney injury, urologic complications in people living with HIV, or hematologic effects such as anemia, coagulation problems, or other blood and bone marrow impacts that occur due to infection, inflammation, comorbidities, or treatment exposure over time. The FOA explicitly welcomes both basic and clinical approaches, meaning applicants could propose laboratory-based mechanistic studies, patient-oriented clinical investigations, translational work that bridges bench and bedside, or observational and interventional studies when appropriate. The label "Clinical Trial Optional" indicates that clinical trials are permitted but not required; applicants can submit either non-trial research or a clinical trial application if it fits the questions being asked and meets NIH expectations for trial design, ethics, and oversight.

Eligibility is wide and includes many common NIH applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations that meet NIH rules. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. In other words, the announcement is structured to support participation from a wide range of institutions, including those that serve historically underrepresented communities or have close ties to affected populations.

The foreign participation rules are more restrictive and should be read carefully. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain overseas collaborations or activities as a component of the project if they are justified and meet NIH policy requirements. This setup supports international scientific collaboration without allowing a foreign institution to serve as the main awardee.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under the NIH, with the activity aligned to health and related categories and listed under CFDA 93.847. The opportunity was created on November 28, 2017, and the original closing date was March 13, 2018, indicating it was a time-bound solicitation rather than an always-open mechanism. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, which signals an upper bound on the amount that may be awarded (often interpreted in NIH contexts as a limit on direct costs per year, though applicants normally confirm the exact budgeting rule in the full FOA and any NIH policy references). The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided text, suggesting that the actual number of funded projects would depend on application quality, program priorities, and available funds.

Overall, the FOA is aimed at advancing HIV-related science that directly informs kidney, urologic, and hematologic health, especially as people with HIV live longer and face chronic complications and treatment-associated effects. Competitive applications would typically be those that present a clear HIV-to-KUH relevance, strong innovation (new mechanisms, new patient insights, new interventions, or new analytic approaches), and a feasible plan with appropriate expertise, resources, and, where applicable, clinical protections and trial governance.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-03-13. (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 $500,000.00 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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