NIH has published a Fiscal Year 2023 funding notice for its Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and AIDS Research Centers (ARC) to support additional implementation research projects conducted in collaboration with partners in the 57 jurisdictions prioritized in the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative. Each implementation research project will help advance local EHE plans. Applications are due by April 3, 2023.

NIH is accepting applications from the 19 CFARs and 7 ARCs for implementation research projects in four scientific areas:

• Syndemic Approaches to HIV Prevention, Treatment or Care

  Objective: To use syndemic theory and approaches to (a) increase focus on intersecting diseases and social conditions that exacerbate health inequities, and (b) enhance the evidence base for effective successful approaches to assess, monitor, and intervene with respect to these intersections for optimal outcomes in HIV prevention or treatment.

• Leveraging Pharmacies to Advance HIV Testing, Prevention, and Care

  Objective: To support research projects designed to further capacitate, field, and scale the routine delivery of HIV testing, prevention, and care services through pharmacists and pharmacy settings in the U.S.

• Strategies to Improve Linkage to HIV Care and Services Post-Incarceration

  Objective: To improve linkage and connection to mental health, substance use, social services, housing, job services, HIV care, and any other community resources post-incarceration. The goals are to optimize timely linkage to HIV care, retention, and viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH) re-entering their communities.

• Cluster Detection and Response Strategies

  Objective: To use cluster detection and response strategies to address identified service gaps, reduce HIV-related health disparities, and contain outbreaks.

The NIH-supported EHE projects identify, tailor, and test evidence-based interventions to strengthen HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services that optimize adherence, retention, and health outcomes, particularly in populations most affected by HIV. The resulting findings, lessons, and tools inform federal and nonfederal stakeholders about effective, evidence-based practices that can be replicated and scaled up in other jurisdictions and settings to help achieve the goals of the EHE initiative and National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

NIH requires that proposals for EHE implementation research projects be developed in collaboration with community partners in one or more EHE jurisdictions. Community partners may include local, county, or state health departments; community-based organizations; clinics receiving funds from CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA, or IHS; and others. CFARs and ARCs may work in EHE jurisdictions outside of their institution’s immediate location.

Read about the prior NIH awards to CFARs and ARCs are EHE implementation research projects.

View an interactive map of previously funded projectsExit Disclaimer.

Support for EHE Research Projects and Dissemination of Findings

The funding announcement also seeks CFAR or ARC applications to serve as the Coordination, Consultation, and Data Management Center for these projects. That center will function as a supportive resource to all the EHE implementation research projects, collect and assemble data on progress from the EHE projects, and provide regular updates on progress and outcomes to NIH Program Officers. Among the center’s responsibilities will be to foster planning for dissemination of research findings to communities, policymakers, and other relevant parties; plan a variety of methods for dissemination and sharing of research findings and effective implementation strategies to optimally deliver effective intervention tools to all EHE jurisdictions as well as additional jurisdictions; and support the development of training and capacity-building programs for early-stage investigators, as well as secondary and post-secondary students, local implementers, community leaders, people living with HIV, and policymakers, as appropriate.

There is also a request to support Regional Consultation Hubs that will provide implementation science expertise through consultation and technical assistance to the EHE project teams. The hubs will collect data on measures, progress, and outcomes from awarded the EHE projects and provide data to the Coordination, Consultation, and Data Management Center for harmonization across the EHE implementation research projects.

Read full details about the request for applications on this page.