Understanding Persistent Oral Human Papillomavirus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infection and Its Role with Oropharyngeal Cancer Induction (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DE 24 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DE 24 002

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released this discretionary grant opportunity, RFA-DE-24-002, to fund early-stage, developmental or exploratory projects that clarify why oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections persist in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and how that persistent co-infection contributes to the initiation and biological progression of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers (HPV-OPC). The overall emphasis is on mechanism-focused research that can explain the pathways linking chronic oral HPV in the setting of HIV to cancer development in the oropharynx, rather than on running clinical trials. As specified in the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement.

The award mechanism is an NIH R21, which is typically used to support higher-risk, hypothesis-generating research, feasibility studies, and novel approaches that may not yet have extensive preliminary data but could open up new lines of investigation. In practical terms, this NOFO is looking for projects that can move the science forward on questions such as what host immune changes associated with HIV allow oral HPV to evade clearance, what viral or tissue-level factors promote persistence specifically in the oral cavity and oropharynx, and what molecular and cellular events connect persistence to malignant transformation. Projects may also aim to identify measurable biological signals (for example, immunologic, virologic, microbiologic, or tissue biomarkers) that help explain or predict persistent infection and cancer-related changes, as long as the work stays within the non-clinical-trial boundaries of the R21.

Key administrative details include a maximum award ceiling of $275,000. The opportunity falls under the health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.121. The original closing date listed for applications was July 24, 2023, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of April 7, 2023.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants such as 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since IHEs are listed separately); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, 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-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility suggests the NIH is encouraging a wide range of research teams and institutional settings to contribute to understanding HPV/HIV co-infection and HPV-OPC pathogenesis.

In summary, this NOFO funds R21 exploratory research aimed at unpacking the biological mechanisms behind persistent oral HPV in the context of HIV and determining how that persistence drives HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer development, with a clear restriction against clinical trials and a funding cap of $275,000 per award.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding Persistent Oral Human Papillomavirus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infection and Its Role with Oropharyngeal Cancer Induction (R21 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): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-24. (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 $275,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA DE 24 002

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