Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, invites applications for the Developmental AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS. This funding opportunity, issued under the P30 Center Core Grants mechanism, aims to support Developmental HIV/AIDS Research Centers (D-ARC) that provide infrastructure to foster high-impact, interdisciplinary research focused on mental health and HIV/AIDS. The overarching goal is to promote research excellence and leadership that aligns with the NIH Office of AIDS Research Strategic Plan, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the NIMH Strategic Plan for Research. D-ARCs are expected to address persistent health disparities, foster innovation, and facilitate the translation of research into practice. Notably, this program represents a reissue of PAR-20-307, with significant updates made to align with evolving agency priorities. The scope of eligible research is broad and inclusive, covering basic science, neuro-HIV, behavioral and social sciences, clinical research, translational approaches, and implementation science. Particular attention is given to intersectional factors such as trauma, stigma, mobility, and structural determinants of health. D-ARCs are also encouraged to engage in biostatistics, data science, and digital innovation, including artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. Proposed Centers must aim to serve as hubs of scientific innovation and collaboration, support a vibrant research community, and help investigators—particularly early-career and underrepresented researchers—advance toward obtaining full AIDS Research Center (ARC) funding. Spending under this opportunity is capped at $750,000 in total costs per year, with a maximum project period of four years. Within this budget, the Developmental Core may allocate up to 10% annually to fund 1–2 year pilot projects. These pilot awards should support formative or feasibility studies, ideally leading to future competitive funding. A key component of the D-ARC program is its emphasis on mentorship and capacity-building. Centers are expected to offer robust developmental support for investigators, especially those from underrepresented groups in HIV/AIDS research. Collaboration with community partners, implementing agencies, and federal entities such as HRSA, CDC, SAMHSA, and the VA is strongly encouraged to ensure real-world relevance and public health impact. Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, small businesses, for-profit organizations, and various government entities at the local, state, and tribal levels. Foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. Applicant institutions must demonstrate research capacity by having at least three active NIMH R-series awards and one additional NIH award. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov using ASSIST or an institutional system-to-system solution. The submission must follow the Multi-Project (M) Instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide. The next application cycle for AIDS-related submissions opens on May 25, 2026, with a due date of the same day. Letters of Intent (LOI), although not required, are strongly encouraged and should be submitted 30 days prior to the application deadline. The earliest start date for funded projects is April 2027. This opportunity is not subject to intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372. Applications must follow the NIH policies for data sharing and research involving human subjects. Data must be submitted to the NIMH Data Archive semi-annually or at the time of publication, and plans for data management must be clearly described. Applications will be peer-reviewed by an NIMH-convened scientific review group, and award decisions will be based on scientific merit, program priorities, and availability of funds. The evaluation will consider the significance, innovation, and approach of the proposed Center, as well as the qualifications of investigators, the institutional environment, and the potential for future ARC-level funding. Centers must demonstrate excellence in scientific planning, strategic vision, and an ability to advance research that addresses key disparities in HIV treatment and prevention. Applicants are advised to review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity and any related policy updates before submission.

Emphasize alignment with NIMH strategic plans; ensure detailed data management plan; structure advisory committee thoughtfully; demonstrate institutional capacity to support Center goals