Adipogenesis, Adipocyte Function and Obesity Following HIV Infection, Antiretroviral Therapy, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DK 19 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 19 008

This funding opportunity, RFA-DK-19-008, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant announcement using the R01 mechanism, with clinical trials allowed but not required (clinical trial optional). It is focused on a growing health problem: obesity is becoming more common among people with HIV (PWH), and this rise in obesity is linked to a range of downstream complications. The announcement emphasizes that obesity in PWH may not be driven by the same biology as obesity in people without HIV, and that HIV infection itself, along with antiretroviral drugs used for HIV treatment or for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), may contribute to weight gain through distinct pathways. The overall intent is to support research that clarifies why obesity is increasing in this population and what is different at the level of fat cells and fat tissue.

The scientific emphasis is on adipogenesis (how new fat cells develop), adipocyte function (how fat cells behave metabolically and hormonally), and broader adipose tissue biology in the context of HIV infection and exposure to antiretroviral agents. The opportunity is specifically seeking studies that can elucidate mechanisms, meaning applicants are expected to move beyond describing associations and instead identify underlying biological processes and pathways. This includes understanding how HIV and/or antiretroviral drugs may alter adipose tissue in ways that promote obesity or change how adipose tissue regulates metabolism, inflammation, and other physiological processes. Because the funding is aligned with the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the work is expected to connect these adipose-related changes to metabolic and physiological outcomes relevant to diabetes, endocrine and metabolic health, digestive diseases, nutrition, and kidney-related complications where applicable.

A key theme in the announcement is that adipocytes in overweight or obese PWH may be biologically different from adipocytes in overweight or obese individuals without HIV. This points to research opportunities comparing groups to pinpoint what HIV infection, chronic immune activation, viral reservoirs, antiretroviral exposure, or PrEP exposure might be doing to adipose tissue. Projects could reasonably involve mechanistic studies of fat distribution changes, adipose inflammation and immune cell composition, insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, lipid handling, mitochondrial function, endocrine signaling from adipose tissue (adipokines), or how specific antiretroviral drug classes might influence weight regulation pathways. Since clinical trials are optional, projects may range from basic and translational laboratory studies using human samples and model systems to clinical or clinical-translational studies in people, including interventional designs where appropriate.

Administratively, the grant is categorized under the Food and Nutrition and Health activity areas, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.847. The agency is NIH, with NIDDK as the institute framing the mission priorities described in the text. The source data lists an award ceiling of $500,000, signaling the maximum annual direct cost level typically allowed under this announcement (as presented in the listing). The original closing date shown is 2019-11-07, and the opportunity record was created on 2019-05-29, indicating this is a specific, time-bound solicitation from that period rather than an open-ended standing program announcement.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types commonly allowed under NIH research grants. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This reflects an intent to encourage participation from a wide range of institutions, including those serving populations disproportionately affected by HIV and related metabolic complications, and to support research capacity across diverse settings.

In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at generating actionable biological insight that can eventually inform prevention and treatment strategies for obesity and metabolic disease in the context of HIV and antiretroviral exposure. The research supported under this FOA is meant to clarify what is driving weight gain and adipose dysfunction in PWH and in people exposed to antiretrovirals for prevention, and to connect those adipose changes to clinically meaningful metabolic and physiological outcomes within NIDDK priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Adipogenesis, Adipocyte Function and Obesity Following HIV Infection, Antiretroviral Therapy, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-11-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• 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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