Harnessing Big Data to Halt HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 764

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 764

Harnessing Big Data to Halt HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18 764, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to push HIV research forward by using Big Data Science (BDS). The central goal is to fund research that can significantly improve how HIV transmission is understood, how people move through the HIV care continuum (from diagnosis to treatment and viral suppression), and how HIV-related comorbidities are identified, tracked, and addressed. The emphasis is on using large, complex, and often linked datasets to generate insights that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with smaller, traditional study designs.

This FOA supports projects that bring together diverse sources of big data and use them in ways that are robust, reproducible, and scientifically transparent. Applicants are expected to do more than just analyze a single dataset; the program is aimed at assembling and integrating multiple data streams where appropriate, then applying rigorous analytical approaches that can stand up to replication and scrutiny. It also highlights the importance of turning complex results into meaningful visualizations, recognizing that clear data presentation can improve interpretation, decision-making, and real-world usability for researchers, clinicians, public health programs, and communities impacted by HIV.

A notable feature of the announcement is its explicit attention to ethics in big data HIV research. Because big data efforts can raise serious issues around privacy, consent, bias, fairness, stigmatization, and potential misuse of sensitive information, the FOA encourages engaging ethical experts when appropriate. The intent is to make sure the growth of this scientific area is guided by ethical principles, especially given the heightened sensitivity of HIV-related data and the potential risks for marginalized groups.

The funding mechanism is an NIH R01 research project grant, with clinical trials listed as optional. That means proposals may include a clinical trial component if it makes scientific sense, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive. The activity categories tied to the opportunity fall under education and health, and the related CFDA numbers include 93.242, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, and 93.855, reflecting the multiple NIH program areas that can intersect with HIV, data science, and associated health outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations. Domestic applicants can include 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicants 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 federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects an intent to bring in a broad range of perspectives, data access points, and community connections to strengthen HIV big data research.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that the opportunity was created on 2018-04-20 and listed an original closing date of 2021-05-07. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data. Overall, the FOA is aimed at advancing HIV science by combining large-scale data integration, careful and reproducible analytics, clear visualization, and ethical safeguards to produce insights that can meaningfully impact prevention, care, and long-term health outcomes for people affected by HIV.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Harnessing Big Data to Halt HIV (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, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (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 PAR 18 764

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