HIV-associated neuropathic pain and opioid interaction (R01) | RFA DA 18 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 18 015

The HIV-associated neuropathic pain and opioid interaction (R01) funding opportunity (RFA-DA-18-015) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant solicitation focused on a specific clinical and public health problem: why and how opioids, including commonly prescribed opioid medications, can worsen neuropathic pain in people living with HIV. Neuropathic pain is a frequent and often debilitating complication in HIV infection, and this RFA is centered on the idea that opioid exposure may intensify pain through biological mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. The overall goal is to stimulate mechanistic research that can clarify these opioid-HIV pain interactions and produce knowledge that supports the development of safer, more effective approaches to treating neuropathic pain in HIV-infected patients who are exposed to opioids, whether through medical prescribing or other routes.

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended to support substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects that can generate rigorous mechanistic insights. The emphasis is on underlying mechanisms rather than only describing clinical patterns, so applicants would be expected to propose studies that dig into biological pathways that could explain opioid-related exacerbation of HIV-associated neuropathic pain. In practical terms, this could include work exploring neuroimmune signaling, neuroinflammation, glial activation, peripheral nerve injury processes, interactions with HIV viral proteins, effects of antiretroviral therapy on neural tissues, opioid receptor biology, and other cellular and molecular contributors that might link opioid exposure to heightened pain sensitivity or persistence of neuropathic pain. The solicitation frames these mechanistic findings as a stepping stone to improved therapeutics, supporting the longer-term aim of identifying targets or strategies that could relieve pain without aggravating underlying pathology or creating additional harm in an HIV-affected population.

The program sits within NIH’s broader health mission and is categorized under Education and Health, with CFDA number 93.279. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, indicating the maximum anticipated funding level per award (as provided in the opportunity summary). The original closing date was December 18, 2017, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of August 3, 2017. While the listing shows “ExpectedAwards:” without a number, the key point for planning purposes is that applicants were competing for a limited number of awards under a targeted request for applications (RFA), which typically has defined priorities and an intended scope compared with more open-ended NIH parent announcements.

Eligibility is intentionally broad and includes many types of applicant organizations. Standard eligible applicants include 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the opportunity explicitly highlights “other eligible applicants,” reflecting NIH’s intent to encourage participation from a wide range of institutions and communities. These specifically named groups include 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); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized; eligible federal government agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations may apply.

In short, this R01 RFA was designed to accelerate research that explains, at a biological level, how opioid exposure can make HIV-associated neuropathic pain worse, with the practical intent of guiding safer pain management and treatment development for HIV-infected patients who are exposed to opioids. It encourages participation across a wide spectrum of U.S. and international institutions, including minority-serving institutions, tribal entities, community-based organizations, and U.S. territories, reflecting the real-world reach of HIV and the importance of inclusive research capacity in addressing pain, opioid exposure, and HIV-related neurological complications.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HIV-associated neuropathic pain and opioid interaction (R01)" 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 2017-08-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-18. (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.

Apply for RFA DA 18 015

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