Basic and Translational Oral Health Research Related to HIV/AIDS (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PA 18 695

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 695

The grant opportunity "Basic and Translational Oral Health Research Related to HIV/AIDS (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-695) is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding program that supports early-stage, exploratory research focused on how HIV affects the oral cavity. The central aim is to spark innovative basic and translational studies that can clarify key biological mechanisms behind HIV transmission through oral tissues, viral persistence in oral reservoirs, HIV-related disease processes in the mouth, and oral co-morbidities that occur alongside HIV infection. The emphasis on "basic and translational" signals that projects may range from fundamental mechanistic lab work to early translation-oriented research that connects discoveries to potential diagnostics, prevention strategies, or therapeutic directions, as long as the work remains exploratory in nature and aligned with oral health.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for novel, high-impact ideas that may be at an earlier stage of development than larger, more confirmatory projects. In practical terms, it is geared toward generating proof-of-concept data, testing new hypotheses, or piloting innovative approaches that could later be expanded under more comprehensive funding mechanisms. The FOA explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must not propose studies that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial (for example, assigning human participants to interventions to evaluate health-related outcomes). Applicants can still often include human-relevant research components that are not clinical trials, such as observational studies, analyses of existing specimens or datasets, or laboratory studies using human-derived samples, provided the research design does not cross into clinical trial territory.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the health domain (Funding Activity Category: Health), associated with CFDA number 93.121. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating an upper limit on the total amount that can be requested under the announcement as posted in the source data. The original closing date shown is January 7, 2021, and the FOA creation date is March 5, 2018. (Applicants would normally verify whether the announcement has reissued versions, updated receipt dates, or related active opportunities, since the provided closing date suggests the specific posting may no longer be open.)

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized tribes, and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility is meant to encourage participation from diverse institutions and communities, including organizations serving populations that may be disproportionately affected by HIV and related oral health burdens.

Overall, PA-18-695 is designed to move the field forward by encouraging creative, mechanism-driven research on HIV in the oral environment, including how oral tissues and the oral microbiome/immune environment may contribute to transmission risk, chronic infection dynamics, inflammatory processes, and co-occurring oral diseases. The intention is to support exploratory projects that can open up new scientific directions and generate the kinds of early findings that later justify larger, more definitive studies, while staying outside the scope of clinical trials.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic and Translational Oral Health Research Related to HIV/AIDS (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-03-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

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