Expanding Alcohol-Focused High-Priority Translational Research for HIV/AIDS (UH2/UH3) | RFA AA 17 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AA 17 015

The grant opportunity titled "Expanding Alcohol-Focused High-Priority Translational Research for HIV/AIDS (UH2/UH3)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA AA 17 015) is a National Institutes of Health cooperative agreement designed to accelerate the translation of high-priority research at the intersection of HIV/AIDS and alcohol use. Its central aim is to move promising discoveries from basic biological and behavioral science into practical, patient-centered clinical approaches that can improve prevention and treatment outcomes for people living with HIV who also experience alcohol-related problems. The initiative aligns with NIH priorities for high-impact translational research in HIV/AIDS, referencing the high-priority framework described in NOT-OD-15-137, and it emphasizes innovation with a clear path toward real-world intervention development and testing.

This FOA specifically looks for projects that take existing or emerging technologies and deliberately push them closer to clinical utility for HIV populations affected by alcohol. That includes adapting, applying, and validating behavioral technologies (such as novel counseling strategies, digital or mobile health tools, contingency management approaches, adherence support methods, or other behavior-change platforms) and/or biological technologies (such as biomarkers, pharmacologic strategies, diagnostic tools, or other biologically based methods) so they can be integrated into a new generation of interventions. The focus is not on basic research in isolation, but on translational work that results in improved, patient-focused interventions that address alcohol misuse in the context of HIV care, where alcohol use can undermine engagement in care, medication adherence, viral suppression, and overall health outcomes.

The mechanism is UH2/UH3, which typically reflects a phased innovation-to-implementation structure under a single application: an initial stage (UH2) supports early development, refinement, and feasibility work, and a subsequent stage (UH3) supports expanded implementation, validation, or later-stage testing once predefined milestones are met. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH expects substantial programmatic involvement, meaning awardees should anticipate active coordination with NIH staff around milestones, study design decisions, and progress assessments, with an emphasis on keeping the project tightly aligned to translational goals and measurable deliverables.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants: 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; Native American 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 where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects an interest in drawing on diverse scientific teams and community settings, including organizations that may be especially well-positioned to reach populations disproportionately affected by HIV and alcohol-related harms.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with the instrument type listed as a cooperative agreement and the activity category listed as health. The CFDA number is 93.273. The FOA was created on 2016-09-22, and the original closing date was 2017-01-04. While the listing notes an award ceiling field, no specific ceiling amount is provided in the source text you shared, and the expected number of awards is also not specified there. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH effort to rapidly advance innovative, translational, alcohol-focused interventions that can meaningfully improve HIV-related health outcomes by addressing alcohol misuse as a major and modifiable barrier to effective HIV prevention and treatment.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Expanding Alcohol-Focused High-Priority Translational Research for HIV/AIDS (UH2/UH3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-09-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-01-04. (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 AA 17 015

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