The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serves as the primary agency for conducting and supporting medical research in the United States. Within NIH, the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives, and the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP), in partnership with the Office of AIDS Research (OAR), has reissued a funding opportunity (PAR-24-129) aimed at maintaining Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) macaque colonies critical to advancing HIV/AIDS research. This program, originally developed under previous notices PAR-21-089 and PAR-18-669, supports the continuation of specialized nonhuman primate breeding colonies that provide SPF macaques for research purposes.
The primary goal of this opportunity is to ensure the availability of SPF macaques for use in studies related to HIV/AIDS pathogenesis, treatment development, prevention strategies, and co-infection research. These animals must be free from confounding viral infections such as SIV, simian retrovirus (SRV), simian T-cell lymphotropic virus (STLV-1), and herpes B virus. The colonies also emphasize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genotyping, a critical factor in immune response studies. As MHC alleles such as Mamu-A*01, Mamu-B*08, and Mamu-B*17 impact disease progression in macaques, the characterization of breeding stock is a central component.
The scope of funding encompasses the maintenance, husbandry, and genetic typing of SPF colonies, with optional inclusion of expanded SPF status for additional viruses such as CMV and HPV. The program also supports logistical elements including animal allocation to NIH-funded researchers, prioritizing external investigators, and plans for operational sustainability. Funded recipients must demonstrate capabilities in breeding management, veterinary care, environmental enrichment, genetic diversity preservation, and viral testing using state-of-the-art methods.
Only existing SPF colony grantees under PAR-21-089 and PAR-18-669 are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted electronically via NIH ASSIST or an institutional S2S solution, following the Multi-Project (M) Application Guide. Each application must include core components: Husbandry and Management, Viral Testing, and MHC Genetic Typing. No clinical trials are allowed under this opportunity. Applicants must contact NIH staff if requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year. The maximum project duration is four years, with budgets reflecting actual project needs.
Applications are due on standard AIDS-related deadlines: May 7, September 7, and January 7 annually through January 7, 2027. The next deadline is May 7, 2026. Letters of intent are not required. Reviews will be conducted by NIH’s Center for Scientific Review, with advisory council review and funding decisions following approximately 5–7 months after submission. Contact persons include Dr. Yongjun Sui at ORIP and Elisabet V. Caler at OAR for scientific inquiries, with financial contacts listed for both ORIP and OAR. A copy of the NOFO and full instructions is available on the NIH website.
Priority given to NIH-funded HIV/AIDS researchers; allocation targets (≥50% external) must be met; plans for MHC genotyping and viral testing should show rigor and reproducibility
