NIMH Research Education Mentoring Programs for HIV/AIDS Researchers (R25) | PAR 17 485

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIMH Research Education Mentoring Programs for HIV/AIDS Researchers (R25) - PAR-17-485

1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is the NIMH Research Education Mentoring Programs for HIV/AIDS Researchers (R25), funding opportunity number PAR-17-485.

2) Which federal agency and institute are associated with this funding opportunity?

The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the sponsoring institute is the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

3) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA listing referenced for this opportunity is 93.242.

4) What type of grant mechanism is this?

This is an NIH discretionary grant mechanism using the R25 activity code, described as a research education and mentoring program for HIV/AIDS researchers.

5) What is the main purpose of this R25 opportunity?

The purpose is to strengthen the HIV/AIDS research workforce by supporting structured research education and mentoring activities. The focus is on building skills and supporting career trajectories in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research areas aligned with HIV/AIDS and NIMH priorities.

6) Is this opportunity intended to fund a standalone research project?

No. The central purpose is not to fund a standalone research project. Instead, it supports training, education, and mentoring activities that complement and enhance the preparation of researchers working on HIV/AIDS topics.

7) What kinds of activities are emphasized by this program?

The program emphasizes structured research education and mentoring activities. The mentoring focus implies more than coursework or one-time workshops; it is geared toward guided professional development, research skill-building, and sustained support that improves readiness and competitiveness of HIV/AIDS researchers.

8) What research areas does the program aim to support?

The program supports educational efforts that build skills and career trajectories in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research areas aligned with HIV/AIDS, particularly those that fit within NIMH's mental health mission and include behavioral and clinical dimensions.

9) How should proposed programs align with NIH priorities?

Programs are intended to align with priorities in the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) Annual Strategic Plan and the NIMH Division of AIDS Research (DAR) priorities, as described in the opportunity information.

10) Who is the intended audience or beneficiary of the program?

The intent is to build workforce capacity so that trainees and early-stage investigators are better prepared to contribute to HIV/AIDS research and address national research needs and the evolving scientific agenda for HIV/AIDS.

11) What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?

A wide range of U.S.-based public and private entities are eligible, including various levels of government, educational institutions, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other eligible entities described in the funding announcement.

12) Are state, county, and local governments eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligibility explicitly includes state governments, county governments, and city or township governments.

13) Are special district governments and independent school districts eligible?

Yes. Special district governments and independent school districts are included among eligible applicants.

14) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are both included among eligible applicants.

15) Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and the listing also notes other tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, as well as Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones.

16) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible applicants?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are noted as eligible.

17) Are public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicants.

18) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status are both included among eligible applicants.

19) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, with the specific limitation stated that for-profit organizations other than small businesses are included (and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible).

20) Are small businesses eligible to apply?

Yes. Small businesses are included among eligible applicants.

21) Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations.

22) Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) included as eligible applicants?

Yes. HBCUs are explicitly highlighted among the categories of eligible institutions and organizations.

23) Are Hispanic-serving Institutions eligible?

Yes. Hispanic-serving Institutions are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicants.

24) Are Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) eligible?

Yes. TCCUs are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicants.

25) Are Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions eligible?

Yes. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicants.

26) Are Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) eligible?

Yes. AANAPISIs are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicants.

27) Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the primary applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization.

28) Are any international components allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply, and foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The lead applicant must be an eligible domestic organization, but allowable foreign components may be included when they meet NIH policy definitions.

29) What is the maximum funding level mentioned for this opportunity?

The listing provides an award ceiling of $250,000, indicating the maximum funding level associated with the opportunity as presented in the source data.

30) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on September 15, 2017.

31) What closing date is listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is September 7, 2020.

32) What is the overall goal of the program in practical terms?

Practically, the opportunity is meant to help organizations create or expand mentoring-focused education programs that prepare investigators to contribute to HIV/AIDS research with a mental health lens, including behavioral and clinical dimensions within NIMH's mission.

33) How does the mentoring emphasis shape what applicants should propose?

The mentoring emphasis signals that applicants are expected to provide more than coursework or one-time workshops. The program is geared toward guided professional development, research skill-building, and sustained support designed to improve the readiness and competitiveness of HIV/AIDS researchers.

34) What kind of impact is this program trying to achieve?

It is described as a capacity-building, workforce-development grant aimed at improving the quality, reach, and effectiveness of HIV/AIDS research education and mentoring efforts, and strengthening the national pipeline of investigators in areas relevant to NIMH HIV/AIDS priorities.