Mood Disorders in People Living with HIV: Mechanisms and Pathways (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 21 116

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 21 116

The Mood Disorders in People Living with HIV: Mechanisms and Pathways (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (RFA-MH-21-116) is a National Institutes of Health research grant aimed at deepening scientific understanding of why mood disorders occur and persist among people living with HIV. The core focus is on clarifying mechanisms and pathways, specifically how biological processes intersect with psychosocial influences (like stress, trauma, social support, and behavioral factors) and structural forces (such as stigma, discrimination, poverty, housing instability, and access to care) to shape risk, severity, and outcomes of mood disorders in this population. The announcement signals interest in research that can move beyond simple associations and toward integrated, mechanistic explanations that show how multiple levels of influence work together over time.

This R01 call is positioned for projects that are fully developed, conceptually strong, and hypothesis-driven, with a solid scientific premise supported by adequate preliminary data. In other words, the expectation is that applicants have already laid meaningful groundwork and are proposing a well-justified set of aims that can produce clear, interpretable advances in the field. The clinical trial component is optional, meaning studies may include clinical trials if appropriate, but they do not have to. The scope also explicitly includes basic and preclinical research, and it allows work in both domestic (U.S.) and international settings, reflecting recognition that HIV and mood disorders are global issues and that important mechanisms may be studied across diverse contexts and populations.

The initiative also draws a clear boundary between mature, readiness-to-execute R01 projects and earlier-stage or riskier ideas. Applicants with exploratory, high-risk, or more preliminary concepts are steered toward the companion R21 announcement (RFA-MH-21-117), which is typically better suited for early hypothesis generation or proof-of-concept efforts. By doing this, the program is effectively encouraging researchers to match the ambition and evidentiary base of their project to the right mechanism, while keeping the R01 channel focused on studies that can deliver robust mechanistic insights.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of institutions and organizations, reflecting an interest in diverse scientific teams and community connections. Eligible applicants span state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations. Multidisciplinary teams and collaborative alliances are encouraged, which fits the multi-level nature of the science being solicited, though collaboration is not required.

Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity in the health category (CFDA 93.242). The funding opportunity was created on 2020-12-09 with an original closing date of 2021-03-10. The publicly provided excerpt does not list an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period expectations, review criteria details, and any institute-specific priorities or requirements. Overall, the opportunity is designed to accelerate rigorous, mechanism-focused research that explains how biological, psychological, and structural determinants combine to drive mood disorders in people living with HIV, with the longer-term implication that better mechanistic understanding can inform more targeted and effective prevention and treatment approaches.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mood Disorders in People Living with HIV: Mechanisms and Pathways (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-12-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-10. (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 MH 21 116

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