Ex Vivo Models for Studies at the Intersection of HIV and Addictive Substance Use (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Grant investigates HIV-related brain disorders with addiction using ex vivo human cell culturing for insightful single-cell analysis.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
National Institutes of Health has archived this opportunity.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: July 13, 2025 (Letter of Intent/Earliest Submission) | August 13, 2025 (Application Due)
Funding Amounts: ~$2,000,000 total in FY 2026 for 3–4 awards; no budget cap, up to 5 years/project.
Summary: Supports research using ex vivo human iPSC-derived models to study neuroimmune and neuronal-glial mechanisms linking HIV-associated neurological disorders and addictive substance use.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; applications must use human cells/tissues and address addictive substances (not alcohol only).
Description
This opportunity, offered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at NIH, seeks to advance understanding of the neuroimmune and neuronal-glial mechanisms underlying the intersection of HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND) and addictive substance use. The focus is on research using ex vivo culturing platforms derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), enabling mechanistic studies at the single-cell and neural circuit levels.
Projects should leverage state-of-the-art ex vivo technologies (e.g., tissue-chip, 3D microfluidic cultures, cerebral organoids, 3D tissue printing) to dissect how HIV and addictive substances (such as opioids, cannabinoids, methamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine) interact to drive neurodegeneration, viral latency, and neuropathology. The program encourages unbiased, reproducible analysis of genetics, epigenetics, neuroglial interactions, and neuroimmune cell activities.
Applications must include at least one aim or sub-aim focused on exposure to addictive substances or relevant signaling pathways. Projects focused solely on alcohol, or that do not use human cells/tissues, are not responsive.
