FY2020 CFAR Administrative Supplements in HIV/AIDS

Guidelines for Concept Proposals

Purpose

The UCSF-Gladstone Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) announces the availability of administrative supplement funding from the NIH CFAR Program for projects related to the following areas of scientific interest:

1. Methodology and Data Science of HIV

2. Increasing the Integration of Substance Abuse Services and HIV Prevention and Care

3. Impact of Food Security on HIV Prevention and HIV Care

4. Human Mobility and HIV

5. Overcoming Barriers to HIV Reservoir Clearance

More information on the above scientific areas can be found in the full announcement found here. Please note the NIH Institute and Center contacts for each area of scientific interest, for additional context. 

Eligibility

Project leaders for all scientific areas of interest are restricted to:

• Early career investigators who have never received an R01-equivalent, P-series or U-series research grants
• Established investigators in non-HIV fields who have never received an NIH research award for HIV/AIDS studies
• Post-doctoral fellows are eligible to apply if they will assume a faculty position by the time the supplement project and funding begins

Mentorship and collaboration with established AIDS investigators is required. CFAR Core and Scientific Working Group leaders are encouraged to collaborate on their applications, and to collaborate with appropriate individuals not currently involved in AIDS research.

Studies that are a continuation of previously funded CFAR supplements or funded NIH applications that do not address new specific aims are not eligible for funding under this announcement. Additionally, a proposed supplement application that is linked to a proposed application not yet funded is not eligible for funding under this announcement.

Studies involving clinical trials are not allowed (see definition). Applications proposing research in prisoners is not allowed. Contact Lauren Sterling to check allowability.

Funding

Supplement awards are for up to one year with maximum funding per application of up to $150,000 Direct Costs. Awards will be made as supplements to the CFAR grant.

Each CFAR is limited to submitting a maximum of four applications across all categories; therefore we are conducting an internal competition to determine which applications will go forward for submission to the NIH.

Concept Proposal Application Process

To apply for this opportunity, please do the following:

1. PLEASE SUBMIT CONCEPT PROPOSALS ELECTRONICALLY by filling out the webform at https://cfar.ucsf.edu/2020-cfar-supplement-concept-sheet-submission-form and attaching ONE FILE (MS Word or Adobe PDF) that includes the following three components by 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2020: 
   1. Cover letter with title of proposed project (maximum of 81 characters), name and contact information of Project Director, and name(s) and contact information of Mentor(s), if applicable. Please also address the following:
      1. Identify your selected Scientific Area of Interest from the five areas listed above.
      2. Please specify any locations outside of UCSF, Gladstone, Vitalant, SFDPH, or SFVAMC, including the name of the institution(s) and their location. 
      3. Include a table listing the key personnel to participate in the proposed project, including the following information: Names, degrees, institutional affiliations, and roles in project.
      4. Include a brief description of how you have addressed the purpose of this opportunity and the eligibility requirements described in the announcement.
   2. Description of proposal (limit one page, Arial 11 font or equivalent) briefly addressing the following:
      1. Background and rationale for the proposal
      2. Activities to be undertaken
      3. Expected outcome of these activities (value-added)
      4. Expected follow-up plan upon completion of the project
      5. A description of how the supplement and follow-up plan are expected to achieve this outcome.
         • Most importantly, clearly indicate how the proposed research activities are expected to lead to the development of stated goals.
         • References cited do not count towards the one page limit.
         • ​Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the review criteria listed in the full announcement.
   3. NIH-formatted Biosketch of Project Director. Please make sure to include past and current Research Support so that we can confirm Project Director eligibility.
      
      Please note that the webform will request a direct costs total estimate and a brief description of budget by cost category (salaries, benefits, supplies, equipment, travel, other services, subcontracts). Please be sure that the aims of the proposal can be achieved with the given budget. Refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement regarding allowable and unallowable costs. Please note that subcontract indirect costs are allowable and do not count towards the direct cost limit. Contact Lauren Sterling (cc: Frank Fernandez) if you have any budgetary questions.