Consortia for Structure-based Immunogen Design for HIV (CSID-HIV) (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Consortia for Structure-based Immunogen Design for HIV (CSID-HIV) is a forecasted federal funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative is designed to support large-scale, coordinated research efforts through cooperative agreements that bring together multidisciplinary teams. The program reflects NIH’s broader mission to advance biomedical research and improve public health outcomes, particularly in the area of infectious diseases. Specifically, this opportunity aligns with ongoing national and global priorities to address HIV through innovative vaccine and therapeutic strategies. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance structure-based immunogen design targeting HIV. The initiative emphasizes the development of immunogens capable of eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies, which are considered critical for effective HIV prevention and treatment. Funded consortia are expected to integrate expertise across structural biology, immunology, virology, computational biology, and related disciplines to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries into viable clinical candidates. While clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism, the program explicitly aims to move promising approaches toward readiness for clinical evaluation. Funding under this opportunity will support collaborative research activities, including the design, testing, and optimization of immunogens, as well as the development of novel methodologies and technologies that can enhance immunogen discovery. Although specific funding amounts are not provided in the forecast, the cooperative agreement structure indicates substantial involvement from NIH program staff in guiding project activities. Awardees will likely be required to adhere to federal guidelines regarding allowable costs, reporting requirements, and project oversight. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified, reducing financial barriers for applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of entity types. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations regardless of 501(c)(3) status, for-profit entities, small businesses, school districts, and special district governments. Additional eligible entities include federal agencies, U.S. territories, faith-based organizations, and regional organizations. This wide eligibility scope reflects NIH’s intent to foster diverse collaborations and leverage varied institutional strengths. The application process will be conducted through standard federal grant submission systems, such as Grants.gov, although specific submission instructions are not detailed in the forecast notice. Applicants can expect to prepare comprehensive proposals including research plans, budgets, and supporting documentation. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. The estimated application due date is April 14, 2026, with an anticipated award date and project start date of January 1, 2027. Applications will likely be evaluated based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and the strength of the collaborative framework, consistent with NIH review criteria. The cooperative nature of the award suggests that funded projects will be subject to ongoing collaboration with NIH staff and potentially other funded consortia. The program is expected to contribute not only to HIV research but also to broader applications in vaccine and therapeutic development for other diseases. For further information, applicants may contact Stuart Z. Shapiro via email at sshapiro@niaid.nih.gov or by phone at 240-292-6155. As this is a forecasted opportunity, applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for updates, including the official funding announcement and detailed application instructions. The timeline indicates a single-cycle opportunity for fiscal year 2027, with no explicit indication of recurring funding cycles.