Phylodynamic Tracking of HIV Transmission (R01) | PAR 17 048

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 048

Phylodynamic Tracking of HIV Transmission (R01) (PAR-17-048) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to fund interdisciplinary research teams that use phylodynamic methods to analyze HIV genetic sequence (genotyping) databases for the purpose of monitoring HIV transmission networks in close to real time. The central idea is to take advantage of viral sequence data that are already being generated and stored (often through routine clinical drug resistance testing and public health surveillance) and apply modern evolutionary, statistical, and network-based analytic approaches to better understand where and how HIV is spreading. By improving the way transmission clusters and related patterns are detected and interpreted, the program aims to strengthen the evidence base for public health action, including more targeted testing strategies, faster linkage to treatment, and better-focused prevention interventions.

The FOA emphasizes collaboration across disciplines because effective phylodynamic tracking sits at the intersection of multiple fields. Competitive projects typically require expertise in HIV virology and genomics, bioinformatics and computational biology, phylogenetics/phylodynamics, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health practice, and often ethics, law, and community engagement. The research focus is not simply on generating sequences, but on optimizing analytic approaches and workflows that can convert existing genotyping data into timely, practical information. That can include improving cluster detection algorithms, validating methods against epidemiologic data, developing approaches to handle incomplete sampling and reporting delays, and evaluating how different analytic choices affect the accuracy and usefulness of inferred transmission networks.

A key long-term goal is to leverage existing databases and spur innovations in HIV phylodynamics so that results can better inform real-world decision-making. In practical terms, the FOA is oriented toward methods and applications that can support near real-time surveillance, meaning analyses that are frequent, scalable, and sensitive to emerging outbreaks or rapidly growing clusters. Projects may also address how phylodynamic outputs are communicated to public health partners, how uncertainty is quantified and presented, and how analytic pipelines can be made reliable and reproducible across jurisdictions and populations.

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which supports investigator-initiated research projects. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is listed under education and health activity categories, with CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.279, 93.855, and 93.856. The source information lists an award ceiling of $499,999. The original closing date shown is 2018-09-11, and the opportunity record was created on 2016-11-04. (If someone is considering applying today, it would be important to confirm whether a current reissue or related active FOA exists, since the dates provided indicate this specific announcement was tied to an earlier submission cycle.)

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types: 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; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions, as well as Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.

At the same time, there are important restrictions on non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practice, this means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and eligible, but the project may include certain foreign components if they meet NIH policy requirements and are well-justified scientifically, administratively, and budgetarily.

Overall, the grant opportunity is focused on advancing the science and practice of HIV phylodynamic surveillance by improving analytic methods and translating them into tools and approaches that can be used to understand transmission dynamics quickly enough to matter for prevention and treatment response. It encourages projects that can bridge the gap between sophisticated evolutionary analyses and the operational needs of public health programs, while operating within the ethical and practical realities of using sensitive genetic and surveillance data.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Phylodynamic Tracking of HIV Transmission (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.279, 93.855, 93.856.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-11-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-09-11. (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 $499,999.00 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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