Assessing the Effects of Cannabinoids on HIV-Induced Inflammation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 20 022

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 20 022

Assessing the Effects of Cannabinoids on HIV-Induced Inflammation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-20-022; CFDA 93.279) that supports research aimed at clarifying how cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system influence long-lasting inflammation associated with HIV, and how that inflammation, in turn, affects nervous system function. The emphasis is on understanding biological mechanisms rather than simply documenting outcomes, with a focus on basic science and preclinical work that can explain cause-and-effect relationships. Although the mechanism is an R01 and the announcement notes "Clinical Trial Optional," the core intent is to stimulate mechanistic research that can lay the groundwork for future translational or clinical directions.

The scientific problem driving the announcement is HIV-associated persistent inflammation, which can remain even when viral replication is controlled and can contribute to neurological and other systemic complications. This FOA specifically invites studies that probe the interaction between HIV-related inflammatory pathways and cannabinoid signaling, including endogenous cannabinoid pathways (the endocannabinoid system). Applicants are expected to examine how cannabinoids (which may include phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, or modulators of endocannabinoid signaling, depending on the proposed model) alter inflammatory processes relevant to HIV and to investigate downstream consequences for nervous system function. In practice, this could involve cellular and molecular studies, animal models, neuroimmune or glial mechanisms, immune signaling and cytokine pathways, or other mechanistic approaches that help explain how cannabinoid-related signaling intersects with HIV-driven inflammation and neurobiological outcomes.

A key structural requirement is that proposed projects must bring together expertise and resources spanning both HIV/AIDS research and addiction science. This means applications are expected to be genuinely interdisciplinary, not simply adjacent, with teams positioned to address cannabinoid biology in a way that is credible to addiction science and simultaneously grounded in HIV pathogenesis and HIV-related inflammation. The intent is to ensure that the work is scientifically rigorous regarding both the pharmacology and biology of cannabinoids and the specific immunological and neurological issues that arise in the context of HIV.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as 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 agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was published by NIH with a creation date of November 7, 2019, and an original closing date of March 11, 2020. The funding instrument is a grant, using the R01 activity code, and it falls under the education and health activity category in the source listing. The provided listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, indicating that those details were either not included in the excerpt or were not set in the source record.

Overall, the grant is best understood as a targeted NIH request for mechanistic studies that explain how cannabinoid-related pathways may shape HIV-associated chronic inflammation and the neurological consequences of that inflammation, with a strong expectation of cross-cutting expertise in HIV/AIDS and addiction science and a wide set of eligible institutional applicants, including underserved-serving institutions, community-based groups, and international organizations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assessing the Effects of Cannabinoids on HIV-Induced Inflammation (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): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-11. (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.

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