ARI Special Update: ARI Retention Bridging Awards – Applications due 6/16

Dear ARI Community,

As mentioned in our Town Hall today – we are pleased to announce a new funding program aimed at supporting early and mid-career investigators working in HIV research who have been impacted by recent changes in the NIH funding landscape. This program, the ARI Retention Bridging Awards, provides awards of $30,000 in temporary salary/benefit support to ensure the retention of talented HIV research faculty facing current funding challenges due to grant/contract terminations, delays in notices of award, and cancellation of awards pursuant to the new notice on foreign subawards (NOT-OD-25-104). We plan to award up to 6 Retention Bridging Awards this summer and may release additional awards later in the year depending on need. 

Eligible investigators must meet the following criteria: 

• Hold a UCSF primary Assistant or Associate Professor faculty position (all series are welcome)
• Have 50% or more of their Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) supported by research funding
• Conduct research primarily focused on HIV and/or related infections and complications.
• Demonstrate a clear impact from recent changes in the NIH funding landscape, such as grant terminations, delays in notices of award (continuations or new grants), or cancellation of foreign subcontracts.
• Have concrete plans to adjust to new funding environment with new grants or new focus of research.
• Have or will have spent down discretionary accounts to a balance of no more than $40K by September 30, 2025.

Applications should be submitted on the ARI Website by COB Monday, June 16, 2025:

1. Half Page (up to 300 words), with the following components
   1. Brief description of research program
   2. Explanation of circumstances putting them at risk
   3. Description of need and resources available
   4. Plans to adjust their research in the new funding environment
2. Biosketch from recently submitted, terminated, or delayed funded proposal

More information can be found on the ARI Website or in this PDF document.

Contact Lauren Sterling (lauren.sterling@ucsf.edu) with any questions.