Targeting Inflammasomes in Substance Abuse and HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DA 20 026

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 20 026

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity titled "Targeting Inflammasomes in Substance Abuse and HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-20-026) is a discretionary research grant announcement designed to advance understanding of how inflammasomes contribute to brain and nervous system damage (neuropathology) in the context of substance use and HIV infection. Using the NIH R01 mechanism, it supports hypothesis-driven, non-clinical-trial research projects that can clarify how acute or chronic exposure to drugs of abuse interacts with HIV-related processes to trigger immune activation in the central nervous system (CNS), and how those immune pathways may drive neuroinflammation and broader immune dysregulation.

A central focus of the announcement is on inflammasomes, which are intracellular immune signaling complexes that can be activated by infection, cellular stress, or toxic exposures and can amplify inflammatory responses through cytokines and inflammatory cell death pathways. The opportunity emphasizes research that delineates the role of these inflammasome pathways in HIV and drug-related CNS injury, with the idea that virus-related immune activation and drug-induced immune activation may converge on shared molecular mechanisms. By mapping those mechanisms in detail, NIH is seeking studies that can identify measurable molecular markers (biomarkers) and the specific CNS immune cell types involved in HIV-1 infection and disease progression among people who use substances. In practical terms, that means projects might aim to pinpoint which inflammasome components are activated, in which brain-resident or infiltrating immune cells, under which patterns of drug exposure, and how that links to neurologic complications observed in HIV.

Another major goal is to lay groundwork for new therapeutic strategies. The announcement highlights the potential value of discovering interventions that either inhibit (suppress) or modulate inflammasome activation to reduce neuroinflammation and correct immune dysregulation associated with HIV and substance use. While the FOA does not allow clinical trials, it still encourages research that can inform treatment development, such as mechanistic studies, target validation, preclinical testing, and identification of actionable pathways that could later be translated into clinical approaches.

Eligibility for this NIH grant is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and governmental entities, such as state, county, and municipal 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 and Indian housing authorities; and a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status). It also allows applications from for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as other applicant types. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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). This broad eligibility is consistent with NIH goals of supporting diverse research environments and strengthening participation across different institution types and communities affected by HIV and substance use.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA number 93.279, and it was created on 2019-09-16 with an original closing date of 2020-01-15. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed as education and health, reflecting NIH's research mission and public health emphasis. While the source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the overall structure is that of an NIH R01 announcement supporting substantial, multi-year research projects focused on the immunology and neuropathology of HIV and substance exposure, specifically through the lens of inflammasome biology, without proposing a clinical trial.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Targeting Inflammasomes in Substance Abuse and HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-09-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-15. (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 RFA DA 20 026

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