HIV Prevention and Alcohol (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAS 25 208

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS 25 208

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting R01 research grant applications under PAS 25 208, titled "HIV Prevention and Alcohol (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)," with the goal of strengthening and expanding the HIV prevention toolkit for people and communities impacted by alcohol use. The core idea is that alcohol use, whether episodic (such as binge drinking) or long-term, can raise HIV acquisition risk through a combination of behavioral pathways (for example, increased sexual risk taking, reduced adherence to prevention strategies, or reduced engagement with care) and biological pathways (including effects that may increase susceptibility). This opportunity is designed to support research that not only develops and tests new prevention approaches, but also improves and scales up existing interventions by integrating HIV prevention and treatment strategies in real-world settings where alcohol use and related comorbidities are present.

A major emphasis of the funding opportunity is integration: applicants are encouraged to combine effective HIV prevention and treatment interventions with a clear conceptual framework aimed at reducing new infections and producing findings that are informative across different populations and settings. The notice calls for cross-cutting, informative research that can clarify what works, for whom, and under what circumstances, especially when alcohol use intersects with mental health conditions and other substance use. Projects can include developing and testing interventions, adapting and expanding proven interventions for alcohol-impacted populations, and implementing these integrated prevention activities in diverse environments such as clinical settings, community programs, or other service systems relevant to populations at elevated HIV risk.

The NOFO identifies six primary research areas of interest tied to alcohol use and common co-occurring conditions. First is PrEP utilization, which can include research on improving PrEP uptake, persistence, and adherence among individuals whose alcohol use may create barriers to consistent prevention. Second is Treatment as Prevention (TasP), focusing on how alcohol use affects engagement in HIV care, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and sustained viral suppression, and on interventions that improve these outcomes to reduce onward transmission. Third is the integration of preventive intervention strategies, meaning studies that intentionally combine or coordinate HIV prevention methods (behavioral, biomedical, structural, or service-delivery approaches) with alcohol-related prevention or treatment services. Fourth is prevention-related cross-cutting research, which can include mechanisms, measurement, and other foundational work that helps interpret and generalize findings across interventions and populations. Fifth is syndemic approaches, reflecting the reality that alcohol use often co-occurs with other substance use, mental health challenges, stigma, violence, housing instability, and other factors that compound HIV risk; the goal here is to design or test strategies that address these interacting conditions rather than treating them in isolation. Sixth is implementation and operations research, supporting studies on how to deliver and sustain integrated HIV prevention and alcohol-related interventions effectively in routine practice, including questions of feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, reach, cost, scale-up, and equity.

The award mechanism is an NIH R01 grant, and clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if appropriate, but they are not required. The funding activity category is Health, and the CFDA number listed is 93.273. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, and the agency is NIH. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing, and the expected number of awards is not provided.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. applicants, such as state, county, city or township 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant types, including 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; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). The original closing date listed is 2026-05-07, and the opportunity was created on 2024-11-25.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HIV Prevention and Alcohol (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for PAS 25 208

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