DOWNLOAD THE 2023 NIA REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA): MS Word or PDF
Key Dates
Non-Binding Letter of Intent Form Due (online; includes eligibility check details for international applicants): October 18, 2023
Requests for Synchronous NIA Consultation Appointments Due: October 25, 2023
Submissions for Asynchronous Consultations Due: November 1, 2023
Application Deadline: December 13, 2023
Review Date: February 2024
Estimated Earliest Award Date: February 2024
Estimated Award Period:
- Projects with US-based sites only: February 2024 – January 2026
- Projects with International sites: April 2024 – March 2026
Purpose
The purpose of the UW/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) New Investigator Awards (NIAs) is to encourage junior investigators (at a senior stage of training or recently independent) to conduct independent research, acquire preliminary data to use for subsequent grant submissions, publish, receive mentorship, and write one or more grants to obtain funding to continue their HIV research careers. The application process is designed to help you formulate a research proposal consistent with National Institute of Health (NIH) requirements for your future grant applications and includes opportunities to consult with experts to strengthen the study design and public health reach of your work.
Funding Available
Awards will be up to $70,000 total (direct costs) for 2-year non-interdisciplinary projects, or $80,000 total for 2-year interdisciplinary projects. To qualify for interdisciplinary level funding, successful applicants must demonstrate that the research work itself incorporates methods from multiple disciplines (e.g. behavioral science, implementation science, laboratory sciences).
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Have an MD or PhD or equivalent terminal degree (includes an MBChB plus a Master’s Degree).
- Have not had a NIH R01 or equivalent grant in HIV.
- Have an appropriate appointment, as follows:
- Junior faculty (including acting positions) at a US-based CFAR affiliate*, OR
- A scientist completing a fellowship at a US-based CFAR affiliate*, OR
- A senior post-doctoral fellow at a US-based CFAR affiliate* initiating a new area of HIV-related research that will form a basis for their independent program, OR
- Faculty-equivalent investigator at an international community-based organization whose primary mission is research.
- If from non-U.S. institutions, then also have a primary mentor who is appointed at a US-based CFAR affiliate*. NOTE: In-country co-mentors are strongly encouraged but not required in order to apply.
- Be a UW/Fred Hutch CFAR member, or have applied for membership at the time of proposal submission.
*US-based CFAR affiliates include the University of Washington, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, Access to Advanced Health Institute (formerly Infectious Disease Research Institute), and University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
UW/Fred Hutch CFAR values diversity and encourages individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.
Only individual Principal Investigators (PIs) are eligible to apply; we do not allow Co-PIs to apply. NIH K awards do not impact program eligibility as long as the requested funds support different items; the research can be on the same topic. Successful applicants usually have some preliminary data to support their application but preliminary data is not a requirement. We accept applicant resubmissions of prior-year NIA proposals that have been revised to address previous NIA reviewer critiques.
Contact cfardev@uw.edu if you have questions about eligibility.
Types of Projects
We seek submissions reflecting the breadth of scientific disciplines, and are partnering with the UW Behavioral Research Center for HIV (BIRCH) to strongly encourage those related to mental health and/or behavioral science topics. We can only accept applications in the NIH’s HIV research high or medium priority areas. Please also refer to the CFAR Clinical Clearance guidelines. Examples of successful NIA proposals are accessible via the online CFAR Developmental Core Resources Repository. Please contact us with any questions throughout the process at cfardev@uw.edu.
Mentoring
Each NIA submission must include a letter of support from the applicant’s primary project mentor. International applicants must have primary mentors who are appointed at a US-based affiliate of the UW/Fred Hutch CFAR [University of Washington, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, Access to Advanced Health Institute (formerly Infectious Disease Research Institute), University of Hawai’i at Mānoa] and are strongly encouraged to also identify at least one in-country mentor (as primary or co-mentor) while preparing their proposal. However, only the primary project mentor is required to provide a letter of support stating that they have read and discussed the proposal with the applicant as part of the full application. If needed, please contact Grace John-Stewart, Developmental Core Director, (gjohn@uw.edu, cc: cfardev@uw.edu) to provide suggestions for possible mentors. Successful NIA applicants will form a Mentoring Committee to provide guidance for their career development and to assess NIA project progress at least annually.
Pre-Submission Requirements
Please note that the pre-submission process is designed to support applicants in strengthening their grantsmanship skills and success if selected for an award. Only applicants who have fulfilled the pre-submission requirements will be considered during the proposal review phase. Please refer to the RFA for detailed instructions on pre-submission requirements, and contact cfardev@uw.edu with questions.
DOWNLOAD THE 2023 NIA REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA): MS Word or PDF