Centers for HIV/AIDS-Related Structural Biology (P50) | RFA GM 17 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA GM 17 003

The Centers for HIV/AIDS-Related Structural Biology (P50) funding opportunity (RFA-GM-17-003) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program administered by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). It is designed to support multidisciplinary research Centers focused on understanding HIV/AIDS at the molecular and structural level, specifically by enabling detailed structural and functional characterization of macromolecular complexes that form within the virus itself and at the interface between viral components and host-cell components. In practical terms, this program is aimed at generating high-resolution insight into how HIV proteins and host factors assemble, interact, and function together, with the broader goal of advancing fundamental knowledge that can inform future therapeutic or prevention strategies.

The scientific emphasis is on macromolecular complexes, meaning the opportunity is centered on studying large biological assemblies rather than isolated proteins alone. These complexes can involve interactions among HIV molecules (such as viral enzymes or structural proteins working together) and interactions between HIV molecules and human cellular machinery (such as host proteins that HIV exploits for entry, replication, integration, assembly, or immune evasion). The intent is to support coordinated center-style research that can bring together complementary expertise and technologies needed to tackle these difficult structural biology problems, which often require integrated approaches to both determine structures and link them to biological function.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under the NIH umbrella, using the P50 Center grant mechanism. The funding activity category is Health, and the CFDA number listed is 93.859. The opportunity was created on August 10, 2016, and the original application closing date was January 9, 2017, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation rather than a permanently open program announcement. The listed award ceiling is $3,200,000, which signals a relatively large center-scale budget consistent with supporting multiple interrelated projects, shared resources, and collaborative infrastructure typical of P50 awards. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided data.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments) are also eligible, along with public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) IRS status, as are for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, plus an “Others” category that captures additional eligible entity types under NIH rules. The opportunity explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also notes that eligible agencies of the federal government, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions may apply, reinforcing that the program is not limited only to traditional academic research universities.

At the same time, the solicitation draws clear boundaries around non-U.S. applicants. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant could include certain foreign collaborations or performance sites if they meet NIH’s definition and justification requirements for a foreign component. This structure is common in NIH funding: the prime awardee must be a domestic eligible organization, while specific, well-justified international elements may be permissible within the overall project.

Overall, this opportunity supports the creation or operation of specialized HIV/AIDS structural biology Centers that can address complex questions about how viral and host molecules assemble and function together. The key distinguishing feature is the center-based, collaborative model (P50) paired with a focused scientific mission: producing structural and mechanistic understanding of HIV-related macromolecular complexes, including the critical interfaces between HIV and the host cell.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for HIV/AIDS-Related Structural Biology (P50)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-01-09. (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 $3,200,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA GM 17 003

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