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

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Division of AIDS Research (DAR), has issued a funding opportunity announcement (PAR-24-165) to support the AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS under the P30 Center Core Grant mechanism. This initiative is a reissue of PAR-20-308 and continues NIH’s long-standing commitment to advancing interdisciplinary HIV/AIDS research that aligns with both national strategies and the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) priorities. The focus is on supporting research centers that contribute significantly to the field by enabling infrastructure for collaborative, high-impact science in areas critical to the NIMH mission, including neuro-HIV, behavioral and social sciences, and clinical and translational studies. These AIDS Research Centers (ARCs) are designed to serve as national hubs for interdisciplinary HIV/AIDS research. The ARC model emphasizes a combination of administrative coordination, scientific innovation, and community engagement. Centers are expected to address persistent disparities in HIV prevention, treatment, and care outcomes, focusing on health equity, stigma reduction, and systemic barriers. The program encourages applications that integrate behavioral and biomedical strategies to improve outcomes across the HIV care continuum. Topics of interest include intervention development, population mobility, stigma and discrimination, mental health in people with HIV, and neurodevelopmental effects of the virus, particularly in the context of long-term viral suppression. The Centers must include several key components: an Administrative Core that oversees Center strategy and operations; a Developmental Core to support pilot studies and early-stage investigators; and at least three Research Cores providing centralized services and scientific collaboration platforms. Applicants are required to demonstrate a strong existing base of NIMH and NIH-funded research projects to qualify, including at least four active NIMH R-series grants and two additional NIH-funded projects. This ensures the institution has the capacity to maximize the impact of the ARC structure. The initiative places a strong emphasis on capacity-building, mentoring of underrepresented researchers, and cross-sector partnerships with entities such as local health departments, community organizations, and federal agencies like CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA, IHS, and the VA. Each application must follow NIH's multi-project instructions and be submitted electronically through ASSIST or institutional system-to-system platforms. A letter of intent is requested 30 days prior to submission and should be directed to nimhpeerreview@mail.nih.gov. Applications must include structured components with defined page limits, including an overall strategic plan, detailed research strategies for each core, biosketches, budget justifications, and a comprehensive data management and sharing plan consistent with NIMH policy. The funding ceiling is $1.5 million in total costs per year, for a maximum project period of five years. Use of funds must comply with NIH policies, including limitations on certain administrative and facility costs. The next application due date is August 26, 2024, with subsequent cycles on August 25 in 2025 and 2026. Scientific review occurs in November, followed by Advisory Council review in January, with awards starting in April of the following year. This opportunity allows optional inclusion of clinical trials and supports new, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications. Although cost sharing is not required, applications must demonstrate strong institutional support and strategic alignment with national HIV/AIDS goals. All studies involving human subjects must comply with NIH regulations, including the use of Common Data Elements (CDEs) and submission of research data to the NIMH Data Archive (NDA). Overall, this funding opportunity represents a critical mechanism for institutions aiming to expand their leadership in HIV/AIDS research with an integrated focus on mental health. It combines robust infrastructure support with strategic emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and public health impact. Applications are evaluated on their potential to advance science, demonstrate leadership, engage diverse communities, and contribute significantly to the national response to the HIV epidemic.

Ensure application strictly follows NIH multi-project guidance; Emphasize alignment with National HIV/AIDS Strategy and NIMH research priorities. Applications must demonstrate institutional capacity and strategic value.