Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 24 161
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity "Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (RFA-MH-24-161) supports exploratory and early-stage research aimed at improving how women can access, choose, start, and continue using the HIV prevention vaginal ring in real-world settings. The emphasis is on closing practical knowledge gaps that affect whether the ring is actually taken up and used consistently outside tightly controlled research environments, where everyday barriers like access, stigma, partner dynamics, clinic workflows, cost, transportation, and competing life priorities can shape prevention decisions.
A central focus of this opportunity is understanding what drives or limits uptake (starting to use the ring), adherence (using it as intended), and persistence (staying on it over time). The call highlights research that examines barriers and facilitators at multiple levels, including individual factors (such as perceptions of risk, side effects, comfort with insertion, or concerns about privacy), interpersonal factors (such as partner influence, relationship power, family expectations, or peer norms), and structural factors (such as clinic availability, supply chains, health insurance coverage, legal or policy constraints, discrimination, and broader socioeconomic conditions). Importantly, NIH signals that it is especially interested in evidence generated in routine care and community contexts, rather than only within clinical trials or open-label extension studies, since real-world delivery is where prevention products often succeed or fail.
The opportunity also encourages development and testing of behavioral and support interventions designed to improve consistent use and long-term continuation. This can include counseling approaches, peer or community support models, digital reminders or telehealth-based follow-up, partner or couples-oriented strategies when appropriate, stigma-reduction interventions, and tailored communication that supports informed choice among prevention methods. The goal is not only to improve outcomes like adherence and continuation, but also to strengthen the fit between the product and the realities of womens lives, including differences across age groups, relationship situations, geographic settings, and cultural contexts.
Another major pillar is implementation science, meaning studies that look at how to deliver the vaginal ring effectively, equitably, and at scale. NIH is looking for research that identifies implementation barriers and facilitators in health systems and communities, and that tests strategies to optimize delivery. This can involve evaluating service delivery models (for example, integration into family planning, maternal health, or primary care services), provider training and workflow redesign, task-shifting, community-based distribution, pharmacy-based models, differentiated service delivery, and approaches to improve demand creation and retention. Equity is a clear theme throughout, with the intent to improve access and distribution so that populations facing higher HIV vulnerability or greater structural barriers are not left behind.
This is an R21 mechanism, which generally supports early-stage, high-impact exploratory research, and it is listed as "clinical trial optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if appropriate, but they are not required. The funding opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health and social services area, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.310, and 93.865. The original closing date listed is 2023-09-27, indicating it was a time-bound solicitation.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments; public housing authorities; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types that reflect a commitment to diverse institutional participation and community engagement, including 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 (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities.
Overall, the grant is designed to move beyond demonstrating that the vaginal ring can work under ideal conditions and instead build the practical, behavioral, and implementation evidence needed to make this prevention option easier to access, acceptable to use, and sustainably delivered in the settings where women actually seek care and make HIV prevention decisions.Apply for RFA MH 24 161
- The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.310, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-27. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NIH funding opportunity RFA-MH-24-161 about?
This NIH opportunity, titled "Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)," supports exploratory and early-stage research focused on improving how women access, choose, start, and continue using the HIV prevention vaginal ring in real-world settings.
What prevention product is the focus of this opportunity?
The focus is the HIV prevention vaginal ring, with an emphasis on understanding and improving real-world uptake, adherence, and persistence.
What does NIH mean by "real-world settings" in this announcement?
NIH emphasizes evidence generated in routine care and community contexts (where women actually seek services and make prevention decisions), rather than evidence limited to tightly controlled research environments such as clinical trials or open-label extension studies.
What types of research does this R21 support?
The R21 supports exploratory and early-stage studies that close practical knowledge gaps affecting whether the vaginal ring is taken up and used consistently. This includes behavioral research, support intervention development and testing, and implementation science studies that examine how to deliver the ring effectively and equitably at scale.
What outcomes or behaviors is NIH most interested in improving?
The opportunity highlights three key outcomes: uptake (starting to use the ring), adherence (using it as intended), and persistence (staying on it over time).
What kinds of barriers to vaginal ring use are relevant under this opportunity?
NIH calls out everyday barriers that can shape prevention decisions outside controlled studies, including access issues, stigma, partner dynamics, clinic workflows, cost, transportation, and competing life priorities.
Does the opportunity encourage studying factors at multiple levels?
Yes. The announcement specifically highlights multi-level factors that can affect uptake, adherence, and persistence, including individual, interpersonal, and structural influences.
What are examples of individual-level factors that may affect uptake or adherence?
Examples listed include perceptions of HIV risk, side effects, comfort with insertion, and concerns about privacy.
What are examples of interpersonal factors that may affect ring use?
Examples listed include partner influence, relationship power, family expectations, and peer norms.
What are examples of structural factors that may affect access and continuation?
Examples listed include clinic availability, supply chains, health insurance coverage, legal or policy constraints, discrimination, and broader socioeconomic conditions.
Is the funding opportunity focused only on effectiveness under ideal conditions?
No. The grant is designed to move beyond demonstrating that the vaginal ring can work under ideal conditions and instead build practical, behavioral, and implementation evidence needed for sustainable, real-world delivery and use.
What kinds of interventions does NIH encourage applicants to develop or test?
The opportunity encourages behavioral and support interventions aimed at improving consistent use and long-term continuation. Examples include counseling approaches, peer or community support models, digital reminders, telehealth-based follow-up, partner or couples-oriented strategies (when appropriate), stigma-reduction interventions, and tailored communication to support informed choice among prevention methods.
Does the opportunity consider differences among women and contexts?
Yes. The goal includes improving the fit between the product and the realities of women's lives, recognizing differences across age groups, relationship situations, geographic settings, and cultural contexts.
What is meant by implementation science in this announcement?
Implementation science here refers to studies that examine how to deliver the vaginal ring effectively, equitably, and at scale, including identifying implementation barriers and facilitators in health systems and communities and testing strategies to optimize delivery.
What delivery settings or service models are mentioned as examples?
Examples include integrating ring delivery into family planning, maternal health, or primary care services, as well as community contexts where women seek care.
What health system strategies are mentioned for improving delivery?
The announcement mentions strategies such as provider training, workflow redesign, task-shifting, community-based distribution, pharmacy-based models, differentiated service delivery, and approaches to improve demand creation and retention.
How does equity show up in the goals of this funding opportunity?
Equity is a central theme. NIH aims to improve access and distribution so that populations facing higher HIV vulnerability or greater structural barriers are not left behind.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which generally supports early-stage, high-impact exploratory research.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean for applicants?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose clinical trials if appropriate to their aims, but proposing a clinical trial is not required.
What type of grant is this categorized as?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health and social services area.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.310, and 93.865.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organizations: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; public housing authorities; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses.
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations as eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or listed as eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly calls out 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 (AANAPISIs).
Can tribal governments and tribal organizations apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations are listed as eligible.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement includes eligible federal agencies among the eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions and regional organizations.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) entities apply?
Yes. The announcement indicates that non-U.S. (foreign) entities are eligible.
Is this a current open opportunity?
The information provided states an original closing date of 2023-09-27, indicating it was a time-bound solicitation.
What is the overall purpose of this grant in plain terms?
The purpose is to generate practical, real-world evidence and strategies that help make the HIV prevention vaginal ring easier to access, more acceptable to use, and sustainably delivered in the settings where women actually receive care and make HIV prevention decisions.
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| Diagnostic Centers of Excellence for the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 289 Funding Number: PAR 23 289 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| Opportunities for HIV Cure Strategies at the Time of ART Initiation (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 296 Funding Number: PAR 23 296 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 24 331 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 331 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Opportunities for HIV Cure Strategies at the Time of ART Initiation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 297 Funding Number: PAR 23 297 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 24 330 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 330 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC) (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 23 032 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Leveraging Extant Data to Understand Developmental Trajectories of Late Talking Children (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 045 Funding Number: PAR 24 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Limited Competition: Data Coordinating Center for Completion of the Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure (OBOE) Study (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 24 015 Funding Number: RFA HD 24 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Information and Practice Needs Relevant to Late Talking Children (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 046 Funding Number: PAR 24 046 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Limited Competition: Clinical Centers for Completion of the Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure (OBOE) Study (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 24 014 Funding Number: RFA HD 24 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Down Syndrome Cohort Research Sites (DS-CRS) for the Down Syndrome Cohort Study Program (DS-CDP) across the lifespan for the INCLUDE Project (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 24 003 Funding Number: RFA OD 24 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Long-Acting Drug Delivery Systems for ART Optimization in Children Living with HIV-1 II (LADDS II) (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 23 061 Funding Number: RFA AI 23 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Development of Novel Nonsteroidal Contraceptive Methods (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 25 008 Funding Number: RFA HD 25 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Omics Phenotypes Related to Down Syndrome for the INCLUDE Project (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 081 Funding Number: PAR 24 081 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 25 171 Funding Number: RFA MH 25 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 24 007 Funding Number: RFA OD 24 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Optimizing Health of Children and Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Exposure (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 25 004 Funding Number: RFA HD 25 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Using Archived Data and Specimen Collections to Advance Maternal and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 25 009 Funding Number: RFA HD 25 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers (MDSRC) (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AR 25 002 Funding Number: RFA AR 25 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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