Mitochondrial-associated Mechanisms of Neuropathological and Immunodeficient Aging in the Context of HIV and SUD (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | RFA DA 26 009

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 26 009

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for an R01 research grant under the opportunity titled "Mitochondrial-associated Mechanisms of Neuropathological and Immunodeficient Aging in the Context of HIV and SUD (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)," Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-26-009 (CFDA 93.279). The central purpose of this funding opportunity is to support foundational, mechanistic research on how mitochondrial function intersects with biological aging in people affected by HIV infection and exposure to addictive substances, including substance use disorder (SUD). The emphasis is on understanding both protective processes (mechanisms that preserve function or resilience) and pathogenic processes (mechanisms that drive damage or decline), especially as they relate to neuropathological outcomes and immunodeficient aging. The long-term expectation is that stronger mechanistic knowledge in this area can be used to guide the development of more targeted interventions and ultimately improve health outcomes for people aging with HIV who also have histories of substance use or addiction.

This opportunity is positioned at the intersection of aging biology, neurobiology, immunology, HIV research, and addiction science, with mitochondria serving as the unifying biological theme. In practical terms, NIH is looking for studies that clarify how mitochondrial dysregulation, bioenergetic stress, oxidative injury, impaired mitophagy, altered mitochondrial dynamics, or related pathways may contribute to accelerated or atypical aging phenotypes in the nervous and immune systems when HIV and addictive substance exposure co-occur. The language of the announcement also signals interest in research that can disentangle harmful versus compensatory mitochondrial responses, identify mechanistic drivers of vulnerability, and uncover potential leverage points for therapy development. Even though the notice is forward-looking about therapies and improved outcomes, the mechanism is focused on generating the core biological understanding needed to support those downstream advances.

The funding instrument is a discretionary grant using the NIH R01 activity, and the notice explicitly states that clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. That generally means applicants should design projects that do not meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial, and should instead focus on preclinical, translational, or human-subjects research that is mechanistic and observational in nature rather than interventional. Projects might involve laboratory-based experimentation, model systems, analysis of existing cohorts or biospecimens, multi-omic profiling tied to mitochondrial biology, or other approaches aimed at revealing causal pathways and testable mechanistic hypotheses, as long as they do not introduce a prospective intervention intended to change health-related outcomes in participants in a way that constitutes a clinical trial.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities: state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private 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); 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 announcement also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, this reflects NIH interest in drawing expertise from a wide range of research environments and community contexts, including institutions and organizations that serve populations disproportionately impacted by HIV, substance use, and aging-related disparities.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of 2026-03-10, with the opportunity created on 2024-09-30. The listing identifies the activity area broadly under education and health. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants should consult the full funding announcement for budget guidance, project period expectations, and any institute-specific constraints. Overall, this RFA is best read as a targeted call for rigorous R01-level mechanistic science that explains how mitochondrial biology shapes neurologic and immune aging outcomes in the combined context of HIV and substance exposure, while staying clearly outside the scope of clinical trial conduct.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mitochondrial-associated Mechanisms of Neuropathological and Immunodeficient Aging in the Context of HIV and SUD (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" 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 2024-09-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-10. (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 DA 26 009

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