New Type of Developmental Award

Community Engaged Research Award is the newest offered by the Developmental Core.

In addition to the three types of developmental awards currently offered - Initial AIDS Research Projects, Pilot Projects and Collaborative Projects - we are pleased to announce the availability of a new developmental award type CFAR Community Engaged Research Awards. These awards will support the development and implementation of HIV research projects that are grounded in the principles of Community Based Participatory Research, focused on NIH Office of AIDS Research priorities, and have high potential to lead to future NIH funding, including NIH “Ending the Epidemic” funding opportunities. If you have a grant concept and have questions about whether it is responsive to this opportunity, please contact one of the CFAR Developmental Core Directors: Ira Wilson ( ira_wilson@brown.edu ), Ben Linas ( Benjamin.linas@bmc.org ), and Rahm Gummuluru ( rgummulu@bu.edu ) The goal of the Community Engaged Research Awards is to provide pilot research funds to Co-Principal Investigator teams consisting of one academic investigator and one community-based investigator. These award funds will be shared between the academic institution and the community-based organization.

Those interested in submitting a proposal for the Fall 2022 announcement must submit a Letter of Intent no later than a 5:00pm EST on Thursday August 4, 2022.

APPLICATION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The CFAR Research Development Fund provides support for four types of projects.  Please note, the CFAR is unable to fund Clinical Trials.

1. Initial AIDS Research Projects: Basic or clinical investigators new to the AIDS Research field who do not have previous AIDS-related NIH research support. The major goal is to provide support for junior investigators to carry out mentored research which will provide the background for the application for NIH RO1 HIV/AIDS funding. Eligible applicants include those who have not yet received R01 type funding from NIH in the HIV/AIDS field.
2. Pilot Projects: In exceptional instances awards may be made for Pilot Projects for individuals with current NIH support in another field, who would like to apply for initial support for research in the HIV/AIDS field. Eligible applicants include those who may have received R01 type funding from NIH, but not in the HIV/AIDS field (new to HIV research).
3. Collaborative Projects: Awards may also be requested for Collaborative Projects involving two established investigators, with the primary Principal Investigator being an individual with no previous work in the HIV/AIDS field (e.g., joint research involving a retrovirologist and a structural engineer). 
4. Community Engaged Research Project: applicants who have not yet received R01 type funding from NIH in the HIV/AIDS field, and who collaborate with a community-based organization.

Other AIDS research projects that do not fall within above guidelines may be considered on a case-by-case basis, by the Developmental Core Directors, provided that such proposed projects are developmental in nature and have the potential for future NIH funding.  Eligible applicants must include at least one HIV investigator; collaborators must not have or had previous NIH R01 type funding together.

Developmental funding is not intended to supplement an ongoing NIH-funded project but rather stimulate new research topics and inter-disciplinary collaborations. All grants have a primary goal of providing support to the PI to obtain preliminary information necessary to successfully apply for R01 or other grant funding from NIH or other outside sources.

Eligibility

Applicants for all types of projects must have a full-time appointment at either Brown University or Boston University. Faculty must have at least an appointment of Instructor or Investigator to apply.  Applications from post-doctoral fellows will not be accepted unless a faculty promotion letter (e.g. a letter confirming the intent of the institution to promote the applicant to an eligible position by the activation of the award) is attached to the application.

Faculty with backgrounds in either basic or clinical investigation, including investigators committed to research in the developing world are encouraged to apply.

In exceptional circumstances, individuals who have successfully reached the goal established for an initial CFAR developmental grant, and have obtained NIH-R01 funding for further related studies, may be eligible to apply for a second CFAR Developmental Grant in a new HIV/AIDS research domain. Please contact the CFAR office (CFAR@lifespan.org) to discuss eligibility.