Optimizing Health of Children and Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Exposure (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 25 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 25 004

The Optimizing Health of Children and Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Exposure (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA HD 25 004) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant that supports a cooperative agreement research program focused on children and adolescents who were exposed to HIV and/or antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy or around birth but did not acquire HIV infection, often described as HIV-exposed but uninfected (IHEU). The central purpose is to generate the evidence needed to develop, refine, and test interventions that can detect problems earlier and reduce potential long-term health effects that may be associated with in utero or perinatal exposure to HIV and/or ART. A key emphasis is on innovative thinking and new approaches that address real public health challenges faced by IHEU populations as they grow from infancy through adolescence.

This NOFO uses the U19 cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically means funded projects operate with substantial NIH scientific and programmatic involvement compared with a standard research grant. Applicants should expect a collaborative structure where NIH staff may help coordinate program activities, align research efforts across participating projects, and support shared goals for the initiative. The announcement also notes that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trial components when appropriate, but they are not required to do so. Overall, the program is oriented toward practical, intervention-relevant research that can move the field beyond documenting outcomes and toward actionable strategies for screening, prevention, mitigation, and long-term health optimization.

The scientific scope centers on understanding and addressing longer-term effects of perinatal HIV/ART exposure. That includes generating information needed to design and test interventions for early detection of emerging issues and for reduction of adverse outcomes over time. While the announcement does not list specific disease endpoints in the text provided, the framing suggests interest in a broad range of developmental, physiological, and health trajectories that could plausibly be influenced by early-life exposures, with attention to how risks may present or evolve across childhood and adolescence. Projects are expected to be forward-looking, using rigorous research designs and creative methodologies to close evidence gaps and translate findings into feasible strategies that improve health outcomes for IHEU individuals.

Eligibility is broad and explicitly inclusive of many organization types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and 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 and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible groups such as 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, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities. This broad eligibility aligns with the initiative's public health orientation and the need for multidisciplinary teams, community engagement, and access to diverse populations and care settings.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Health, Income Security and Social Services, uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.173, 93.242, and 93.865. The posting indicates an original closing date of 2024-07-30 and a creation date of 2024-03-20. Award ceiling and expected awards are not specified in the provided source text, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget limits, number of awards, project period, required components, and any consortium or data-sharing expectations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Optimizing Health of Children and Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Exposure (U19 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.242, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-30. (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 HD 25 004

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