Description

This funding opportunity is designed to accelerate the adoption, validation, and integration of human new approach methodologies (NAMs) in NIH-funded HIV/AIDS research, while also supporting high-quality specific pathogen free (SPF) animal model resources where in vivo models remain necessary. The initiative has two main priorities:

• NAMs-Enabled Component:

  • Implement a stewardship framework to identify and support studies where NAMs can reduce or replace SPF in vivo model use, without compromising scientific rigor or translational relevance.
  • Integrate a NAMs triage and consultation service into intake workflows, document reductions/replacements, and establish referral pathways to NAM centers and human tissue resources.
  • Optional: Provide HIV-relevant human in vitro testing support, develop SOPs, quality control frameworks, and pilot benchmarking projects for human NAMs.

• SPF Resource Component:

  • Maintain core SPF colony operations, including colony management, transparent request allocation, virologic surveillance, and rapid mitigation to preserve SPF status.
  • Support high-resolution immunogenetic characterization (e.g., MHC typing) to enable rigorous, genotype-informed studies and efficient stewardship of limited in vivo resources.

The program aims to foster the responsible transition toward human-relevant research methods while ensuring rigorous support for studies that require well-characterized animal models.