Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 103
The grant opportunity titled "Strengthening the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum through Behavioral, Social, and Implementation Science (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA 17 103) is a discretionary NIH research grant focused on improving how PrEP is delivered, adopted, and sustained in real-world settings. It specifically calls for behavioral science, social science, and implementation science studies that look beyond biomedical efficacy and instead address the practical and human factors that determine whether people who could benefit from PrEP actually learn about it, access it, start it, and continue using it effectively over time.
A central emphasis of the announcement is the "PrEP care continuum," meaning the full pathway from identifying people who may benefit from PrEP through awareness, willingness, access to providers, prescribing, initiation, adherence, persistence/retention in care, follow-up monitoring, and ultimately health outcomes. The FOA encourages research that first pinpoints where drop-offs occur along that continuum (for example, lack of PrEP awareness, low risk perception, stigma, limited culturally competent services, insurance and cost barriers, transportation challenges, clinic workflow constraints, or gaps in provider knowledge and prescribing practices). It also seeks projects that investigate the determinants driving those gaps, including individual-level factors (beliefs, motivation, mental health, substance use, experiences of discrimination), interpersonal factors (partner dynamics, family support, peer norms), and structural factors (clinic accessibility, policy barriers, healthcare coverage, criminalization, racism, and other systemic inequities).
Beyond identifying problems, the FOA is designed to support the development and testing of interventions that strengthen PrEP delivery, use, and outcomes. That can include interventions aimed at patients and communities (such as education, peer navigation, adherence support, stigma reduction strategies, or technology-based supports), interventions aimed at providers (training, decision supports, workflow redesign), and interventions aimed at health systems and service delivery models (integrating PrEP into primary care, sexual health clinics, pharmacies, mobile clinics, telehealth models, or community-based organizations). Because this is explicitly an implementation science-oriented opportunity, it is also geared toward practical approaches that can be adopted and scaled, including strategies that improve uptake in routine practice, strengthen referral pathways, and increase retention in PrEP care.
Reducing disparities is a major stated priority. The FOA highlights the need to address racial and ethnic inequities and age-related disparities in PrEP uptake and sustained use. In practice, this means proposing research that is responsive to communities that have been underserved by existing PrEP delivery models, and that targets the social and structural conditions contributing to unequal access and outcomes. Projects are expected to consider how interventions can be culturally appropriate, feasible in the settings where disparities are most pronounced, and capable of improving equitable access, initiation, and persistence among groups experiencing disproportionate HIV burden and barriers to care.
The mechanism is an R21, which is typically used by NIH to support exploratory and developmental projects, including early-stage intervention development, pilot testing, or feasibility studies that can generate data for larger-scale research later. The listed award ceiling is $200,000. The activity category is Health and the CFDA number provided is 93.242. The opportunity was created on 2017-01-09, and the original closing date listed is 2018-01-24, indicating this is a dated announcement as provided in the source details.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants, reflecting NIH's intent to encourage multidisciplinary and cross-sector participation. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Overall, the opportunity is positioned to support applied, equity-focused PrEP continuum research that connects behavioral and social realities with implementable strategies to improve PrEP access and sustained use.Apply for PA 17 103
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum through Behavioral, Social, and Implementation Science (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Strengthening the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum through Behavioral, Social, and Implementation Science (R21)."
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is PA 17 103.
3) What type of grant is this?
This is a discretionary NIH research grant using the R21 activity mechanism, which is typically used for exploratory and developmental research.
4) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The main goal is to improve how PrEP is delivered, adopted, and sustained in real-world settings by supporting behavioral science, social science, and implementation science research focused on practical and human factors that shape PrEP awareness, access, initiation, adherence, and continued use.
5) What does the FOA mean by the "PrEP care continuum"?
The PrEP care continuum refers to the full pathway from identifying people who may benefit from PrEP through awareness, willingness, access to providers, prescribing, initiation, adherence, persistence/retention in care, follow-up monitoring, and ultimately health outcomes.
6) What kinds of research questions does this FOA encourage?
It encourages studies that identify where drop-offs occur along the PrEP care continuum, investigate the determinants of those gaps, and develop and test interventions that strengthen PrEP delivery and sustained use in routine practice.
7) What types of drop-offs or barriers along the PrEP continuum are mentioned?
Examples mentioned include lack of PrEP awareness, low risk perception, stigma, limited culturally competent services, insurance and cost barriers, transportation challenges, clinic workflow constraints, and gaps in provider knowledge and prescribing practices.
8) What kinds of determinants (drivers) of PrEP continuum gaps are in scope?
The FOA highlights determinants at multiple levels, including:
- Individual-level factors (beliefs, motivation, mental health, substance use, experiences of discrimination)
- Interpersonal factors (partner dynamics, family support, peer norms)
- Structural factors (clinic accessibility, policy barriers, healthcare coverage, criminalization, racism, and other systemic inequities)
9) Is this opportunity focused on biomedical efficacy studies of PrEP?
No. The emphasis is on behavioral, social, and implementation science research that looks beyond biomedical efficacy and addresses real-world factors that influence whether people learn about PrEP, access it, start it, and continue using it effectively.
10) What kinds of interventions are encouraged under this FOA?
The FOA supports interventions designed to strengthen PrEP delivery, use, and outcomes. Examples include patient/community-focused interventions (education, peer navigation, adherence support, stigma reduction strategies, technology-based supports), provider-focused interventions (training, decision supports, workflow redesign), and health system/service delivery interventions (integrating PrEP into primary care, sexual health clinics, pharmacies, mobile clinics, telehealth models, or community-based organizations).
11) Does the FOA emphasize implementation science and real-world adoption?
Yes. This is explicitly implementation science-oriented and emphasizes practical approaches that can be adopted and scaled, including strategies to improve uptake in routine practice, strengthen referral pathways, and increase retention in PrEP care.
12) Is reducing disparities a priority for this opportunity?
Yes. Reducing disparities is a major stated priority, including addressing racial and ethnic inequities and age-related disparities in PrEP uptake and sustained use.
13) How are applicants expected to address equity and underserved communities?
Projects are expected to be responsive to communities underserved by existing PrEP delivery models and to target the social and structural conditions contributing to unequal access and outcomes. Interventions should be culturally appropriate, feasible in settings where disparities are most pronounced, and capable of improving equitable access, initiation, and persistence among groups with disproportionate HIV burden and barriers to care.
14) What is the award ceiling for this R21 opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
15) What is the activity category and CFDA number?
The activity category is Health, and the CFDA number provided is 93.242.
16) When was this opportunity created and when did it close (as listed)?
The opportunity was created on 2017-01-09, and the original closing date listed is 2018-01-24. Based on those dates, this is a dated announcement as provided in the source details.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other entities.
18) Are specific institution types and community organizations explicitly included as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
19) Are non-U.S. entities allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations.
20) What stage of research is an R21 generally intended to support here?
The R21 mechanism is typically used for exploratory and developmental projects, including early-stage intervention development, pilot testing, or feasibility studies that can generate data for larger-scale research later.
21) What settings or delivery models are mentioned as relevant for PrEP implementation research?
The FOA mentions integrating PrEP into primary care, sexual health clinics, pharmacies, mobile clinics, telehealth models, and community-based organizations, among other real-world service delivery models.
22) What is the overall focus of the opportunity in one sentence?
It is positioned to support applied, equity-focused PrEP continuum research that connects behavioral and social realities with implementable strategies to improve PrEP access and sustained use.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 17 103) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Strengthening the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum through Behavioral, Social, and Implementation Science (R01) Apply for PA 17 104 Funding Number: PA 17 104 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fc Receptor (FcR) and Antibody Effector Function in HIV Vaccine Discovery (R01) Apply for PA 17 113 Funding Number: PA 17 113 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NK Cells to Induce Immunological Memory to Prevent HIV Infection (R01) Apply for PA 17 114 Funding Number: PA 17 114 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Socially-Assistive Robots (SARs) to Engage Persons with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD), and their Caregivers (R41/R42) Apply for PAR 17 107 Funding Number: PAR 17 107 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Socially-Assistive Robots (SARs) to Engage Persons with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD), and their Caregivers (R43/R44) Apply for PAR 17 108 Funding Number: PAR 17 108 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Targeted basic behavioral and social science and intervention development for HIV prevention and care (R01) Apply for PA 17 106 Funding Number: PA 17 106 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Targeted basic behavioral and social science and intervention development for HIV prevention and care (R21) Apply for PA 17 105 Funding Number: PA 17 105 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials (R01) Apply for PAR 17 122 Funding Number: PAR 17 122 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Project Manager for Kenya PEPFAR Sites Analysis Apply for SBUR SOGAC 16 003 Funding Number: SBUR SOGAC 16 003 Agency: Office of the Secretary Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,100,000 |
| Expanding and Strengthening Family Planning Service Options in Uganda Apply for RFA 617 17 000002 Funding Number: RFA 617 17 000002 Agency: Uganda USAID-Kampala Category: Health Funding Amount: $35,000,000 |
| Sex Hormone Induced Thromboembolism in Pre-Menopausal Women (R61/R33) Apply for RFA HL 18 003 Funding Number: RFA HL 18 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| Juvenile Protective Factors and Their Effects on Aging (R01) Apply for PAR 17 126 Funding Number: PAR 17 126 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Juvenile Protective Factors and Their Effects on Aging (R03) Apply for PAR 17 127 Funding Number: PAR 17 127 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Research Program Award (R35) Apply for RFA NS 17 020 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Demographic Surveillance System Support in the Republic of Mozambique under the President's Emergency Apply for CDC RFA GH17 1725 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH17 1725 Agency: Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Public Policy Effects on Alcohol-, Marijuana-, and Other Substance-Related Behaviors and Outcomes (R03) Apply for PA 17 134 Funding Number: PA 17 134 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Public Policy Effects on Alcohol-, Marijuana-, and Other Substance-Related Behaviors and Outcomes (R21) Apply for PA 17 132 Funding Number: PA 17 132 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Public Policy Effects on Alcohol-, Marijuana-, and Other Substance-Related Behaviors and Outcomes (R01) Apply for PA 17 135 Funding Number: PA 17 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Foundational Peripheral Neuroanatomy and Functional Neurobiology in Under-Studied Organs (U01) Apply for RFA RM 17 003 Funding Number: RFA RM 17 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Improving Outcomes for Disorders of Human Communication (R01) Apply for PA 17 139 Funding Number: PA 17 139 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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