Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 474
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement PAR-17-474, titled "Reducing Stigma to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low and Middle-Income Countries (R21)," supports exploratory and early-stage research focused on reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The central idea behind the program is that stigma remains a major, persistent barrier to HIV prevention and to the full continuum of HIV care, including testing, linkage to care, treatment initiation, long-term retention, and overall quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Through this R21 mechanism, NIH is aiming to encourage innovative, proof-of-concept projects that can test feasible approaches, generate preliminary evidence, and set the stage for larger-scale intervention research.
The opportunity is specifically designed to stimulate intervention research rather than purely descriptive studies. Projects are expected to focus on actionable strategies that reduce stigma and demonstrate why that reduction matters for health outcomes and public health impact. The announcement emphasizes that stigma is not only a social harm but also a driver of HIV transmission and poor treatment outcomes, because it can discourage people from seeking testing, disclosing status, accessing prevention tools, attending clinics, adhering to antiretroviral therapy, or staying engaged in care. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to connect stigma reduction to measurable changes such as increased care-seeking behavior, improved treatment uptake or adherence, better retention in care, and potentially reduced HIV transmission risk.
NIH outlines several priority research areas for this call. One major area is the development and testing of novel stigma-reduction interventions that explicitly link stigma reduction to improved HIV-related behaviors and outcomes, such as earlier testing, improved linkage to care, or reduced risk behaviors that contribute to transmission. Another priority is reducing the impact of stigma on adolescents and/or youth, recognizing that young people often face distinct vulnerabilities, including heightened concerns about confidentiality, discrimination in schools or communities, and barriers to youth-friendly health services. The FOA also highlights the need to address layered or intersecting stigma, especially the complex burden experienced by individuals living with HIV alongside other comorbidities or coinfections. In many LMIC settings, HIV stigma can overlap with stigma tied to tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, mental health conditions, substance use, or other socially marginalized identities and health issues, creating compounded barriers to prevention and care.
The announcement further encourages research that targets stigma affecting family members or caregivers of PLWH, or stigma that may be enacted by family systems and caregiving networks. This reflects an understanding that HIV stigma can extend beyond the person diagnosed and can influence household dynamics, caregiving quality, social support, and willingness to engage with health services. Another key emphasis is improved stigma measurement, particularly measurement approaches that are innovative and suited for use within intervention implementation. This could include developing or refining tools that better capture changes in stigma over time, distinguish different stigma domains (such as internalized, anticipated, perceived, or enacted stigma), and work reliably across cultures and contexts commonly encountered in LMIC research. Measurement is treated as a practical need, because weak or inappropriate measures can make it difficult to tell whether an intervention is working or why results may vary by setting.
The broader goals of the FOA are to deepen understanding of how stigma reduction can serve as a lever to reduce HIV transmission, to eliminate or mitigate stigma-related barriers that limit beneficial health outcomes for people who are infected or at risk, and to launch exploratory studies that establish feasibility for interventions in real-world LMIC conditions. Because this is an R21 opportunity, it is oriented toward early-stage, high-potential ideas and feasibility testing rather than large, definitive clinical trials. Typical outcomes of an R21 under this kind of program might include pilot data, refined intervention models, tested recruitment and retention strategies, evidence of acceptability and practicality in a specific setting, and stronger measures for assessing stigma and related outcomes.
In terms of eligibility, the FOA is broadly open to a range of organization types, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), and other eligible entities. It also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs). Importantly, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations, are eligible, which fits the LMIC focus and encourages leadership and partnership from institutions based in the countries where interventions will be studied.
The opportunity falls under the NIH grant funding instrument and the health funding activity category, with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.989. The source details list an award ceiling of $125,000 and an original closing date of December 11, 2017, indicating that this specific posting was time-bounded; however, the scientific priorities and structure described reflect a broader NIH interest in stigma as a modifiable determinant of HIV outcomes. Overall, the FOA is centered on practical, culturally grounded intervention research that can show whether reducing HIV-related stigma in LMIC settings leads to meaningful improvements in prevention, treatment engagement, and the lived experience and well-being of people affected by HIV.Apply for PAR 17 474
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reducing Stigma to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low and Middle- Income Countries (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity PAR-17-474 about?
PAR-17-474 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Reducing Stigma to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low and Middle-Income Countries (R21)." It supports exploratory and early-stage research that tests practical approaches to reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
What is the main purpose of this NIH R21 FOA?
The main purpose is to stimulate innovative, proof-of-concept intervention research that can reduce HIV-related stigma and demonstrate why stigma reduction matters for HIV prevention, treatment, and care outcomes. The FOA emphasizes feasibility testing and generating preliminary evidence to inform larger-scale intervention studies.
Why does this FOA focus on stigma in HIV prevention and care?
The FOA is built on the idea that stigma remains a major and persistent barrier across the full continuum of HIV prevention and care. Stigma can discourage HIV testing, status disclosure, accessing prevention tools, linkage to care, treatment initiation, long-term retention, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and it can negatively affect quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH).
Is this opportunity intended for intervention studies or descriptive studies?
This FOA is specifically designed to stimulate intervention research rather than purely descriptive studies. Projects are expected to focus on actionable strategies that reduce stigma and connect that reduction to meaningful health-related behaviors and outcomes.
What types of outcomes should projects link to stigma reduction?
Applicants are encouraged to connect stigma reduction to measurable changes such as increased care-seeking behavior, earlier or increased HIV testing, improved linkage to care, treatment initiation, better treatment uptake or adherence, improved retention in care, and potentially reduced HIV transmission risk behaviors.
What countries or settings are the focus of this FOA?
The FOA focuses on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Projects are expected to be grounded in real-world LMIC conditions and designed for feasibility and acceptability within those contexts.
What does the R21 mechanism imply about the type of research NIH expects?
As an R21 opportunity, this FOA is oriented toward early-stage, high-potential ideas and feasibility testing rather than large, definitive clinical trials. Typical R21 outcomes may include pilot data, refined intervention models, feasibility and acceptability evidence, and improved approaches for measuring stigma and related outcomes.
What are the priority research areas highlighted in the FOA?
The FOA highlights several priority areas, including: (1) developing and testing novel stigma-reduction interventions linked to improved HIV-related behaviors and outcomes; (2) reducing stigma impacts on adolescents and/or youth; (3) addressing layered or intersecting stigma (for example, HIV stigma combined with stigma related to other conditions or marginalized identities); (4) targeting stigma affecting family members or caregivers of PLWH or stigma enacted through family systems; and (5) improving stigma measurement approaches suitable for intervention implementation.
What does the FOA mean by "novel stigma-reduction interventions"?
Within this FOA, "novel" refers to innovative, proof-of-concept approaches that can be tested for feasibility and potential impact, with a clear rationale for how reducing stigma will translate into improved HIV prevention or care outcomes.
Does the FOA encourage research focused on adolescents and youth?
Yes. A specific priority is reducing the impact of stigma on adolescents and/or youth, recognizing that young people may face distinct issues such as confidentiality concerns, discrimination in schools or communities, and barriers to youth-friendly health services.
What is meant by layered or intersecting stigma in this FOA?
Layered or intersecting stigma refers to situations where HIV stigma overlaps with stigma tied to other conditions or social marginalization. The FOA gives examples such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, mental health conditions, substance use, and other marginalized identities or health issues, which can compound barriers to prevention and care.
Does the FOA support research on stigma affecting families and caregivers?
Yes. The FOA encourages research that targets stigma affecting family members or caregivers of PLWH, as well as stigma enacted by family systems and caregiving networks. This reflects the view that stigma can extend beyond the person diagnosed and influence household dynamics, caregiving quality, social support, and engagement with health services.
Why is stigma measurement emphasized in this funding opportunity?
The FOA highlights improved stigma measurement as a practical need for intervention research. Stronger, context-appropriate measures can help determine whether an intervention is working, capture changes over time, distinguish among stigma domains (such as internalized, anticipated, perceived, or enacted stigma), and support comparisons across cultures and LMIC settings.
What stigma domains are mentioned as important to measure?
The FOA notes the importance of measurement approaches that can distinguish different stigma domains, including internalized stigma, anticipated stigma, perceived stigma, and enacted stigma.
What are examples of how stigma can worsen HIV outcomes, according to the FOA?
The FOA explains that stigma can discourage testing, disclosure, and use of prevention tools; reduce clinic attendance; undermine adherence to antiretroviral therapy; and contribute to poor retention in care. These barriers can lead to worse treatment outcomes and may contribute to ongoing HIV transmission risk.
Who is eligible to apply for this NIH opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), along with other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly notes categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs).
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations, are eligible. This aligns with the LMIC focus and encourages leadership and partnerships from institutions based in the countries where interventions will be studied.
What is the funding instrument and activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the NIH grant funding instrument and is listed under the health funding activity category.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA lists CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.989.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The source details list an award ceiling of $125,000.
What was the closing date for PAR-17-474 as provided?
The provided information lists an original closing date of December 11, 2017, indicating the specific posting was time-bounded.
What kinds of deliverables or results are typical for an R21 project under this FOA?
Typical results may include pilot data, refined intervention models, tested recruitment and retention strategies, evidence of acceptability and practicality in a specific LMIC setting, and stronger measures for assessing stigma and related HIV outcomes.
What is the broader public health goal behind this FOA?
The FOA aims to deepen understanding of stigma reduction as a lever to reduce HIV transmission, mitigate stigma-related barriers that limit beneficial health outcomes for people who are infected or at risk, and launch exploratory studies that establish feasibility for real-world intervention research in LMIC contexts.
How should applicants frame the relationship between stigma reduction and public health impact?
The FOA encourages applicants to treat stigma not only as a social harm but also as a driver of HIV transmission and poor treatment outcomes. Projects should explain how a stigma reduction strategy can plausibly lead to measurable improvements across prevention and care behaviors and outcomes.
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| NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25) Apply for PAR 17 339 Funding Number: PAR 17 339 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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