The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support the innovative biomedical and proof-of-concept research needed to understand how reproductive maturation or injury alters the mucosal environments at HIV susceptible sites. This information is essential to provide the safest and most efficacious biomedical prevention strategies (e.g., topical microbicides and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), etc.) to those populations at heightened risk of HIV infection.
This FOA will support high-risk, biomedical research efforts towards a better understanding of the adolescent male and female genital and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal environments. This research is expected to address how reproductive maturation and/or mucosal trauma (injury and/or repair) at any age alters the environment at HIV susceptible sites.
Award: Up to $400,000 in direct costs per year.
Eligibility: The following organizations are eligible to apply: Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education and Private Institutions of Higher Education. The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education: Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Any candidate with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her mentorship team and organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Multiple PDs/PIs are not allowed.
Due: March 16, 2016