Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R41/R42) | RFA HD 18 101

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 18 101

Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R41/R42) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to push forward new multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) that can protect adolescent girls and young women from both HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. It uses the STTR mechanism, meaning it is aimed at small businesses working in close collaboration with a research institution partner, with the expectation that strong science will be paired with a credible path toward development and eventual real-world use. The core idea behind the program is that a single product or platform that addresses both risks at once could be more practical and acceptable to users than having to rely on multiple separate prevention methods.

The opportunity focuses on innovation in two connected areas: combining active agents (for example, an HIV prevention agent together with a contraceptive agent) and designing or improving delivery systems that make those combinations workable, safe, and easier to use. The emphasis on delivery matters because adherence is often the difference between an intervention that works in a study and one that works in everyday life. The NIH is signaling that prevention tools that are simpler to follow, less burdensome, and better aligned with user preferences may lead to higher and more consistent use, particularly among younger populations. In that context, the program encourages approaches that integrate HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention into a unified modality, with the long-term goal of a viable, effective combination product that meets the needs of young women at risk.

This is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Instrument: Grant; Activity Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services) with CFDA number 93.865. The funding opportunity number is RFA-HD-18-101, and the original application closing date listed is 2018-01-22, with a creation date of 2017-11-22. The activity codes R41 and R42 correspond to the two-phase STTR structure: a Phase I (R41) component typically supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work, while Phase II (R42) supports more advanced R&D aimed at strengthening the technology and moving it closer to commercialization or implementation. Even without the specific award ceiling and expected number of awards spelled out in the provided text, the framing clearly indicates NIH interest in early-to-mid stage translational development that can lead to practical prevention products.

Eligibility is limited to small businesses, consistent with the STTR program. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowable in some cases, so applicants would need to follow the detailed eligibility and policy language in the full announcement if any aspect of the work involves foreign collaboration, sites, or resources. Overall, the opportunity is centered on accelerating inventive, combination-based prevention technologies that respond to the real-world challenge that HIV risk and unintended pregnancy often overlap for adolescent girls and young women, and that prevention options that reduce complexity for the end user may improve sustained protection.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R41/R42)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.

Apply for RFA HD 18 101

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: