2026 CFAR Pilot Grant/Microgrant RFP
RFP Schedule
- Webinar/CFAR Developmental Core Office Hours April 2, 2026
- Due Date for LOI April 15, 2026
- Due Date for full application May 18, 2026
- Application Review June 2026
- Period of Award 12 months or less
Download RFP Download Required Coversheet
CFAR Pilot projects should lead to future independent HIV/AIDS funding. The CFAR is especially interested in proposals from new investigators and those from established investigators who are turning their focus to HIV/AIDS.
Pilot proposals are awarded for 1 year and must target one of the NIH HIV/AIDS Priority Areas of Research.
These research priorities outline the NIH’s broad HIV/AIDS research agenda, guide decision-making processes related to HIV funding, and inform the development of the NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research:
- Reduce the Incidence of HIV, including supporting the development of safe and effective vaccines, microbicides and pre-exposure prophylaxis.
- Develop Next-Generation HIV Therapies with improved safety and ease of use.
- Conduct Research Toward HIV Cure.
- Address HIV-Associated Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications through research designed to decrease and/or manage these conditions.
- Advance Cross-Cutting Areas of research in the basic sciences, behavioral and social sciences, epidemiology, implementation science, information dissemination, and research training.
Specific topics of current interest to the CFAR that may be prioritized include:
• Artificial Intelligence
• HIV & Aging
• Rural Health
• Projects that make use of Duke CFAR specimen repositories and/or EHR data
Eligibility for CFAR Pilot Grant Award
Duke Faculty
- No prior R01 level funding in the HIV/AIDS field
- Applicants with prior R01 funding in other fields are encouraged to apply
Duke Post-doctoral and Clinical fellows
- Applicants with a current K award must have NIH pre-approval
- T32 awardees cannot use CFAR award for training or stipends
- Separate letter of support from faculty mentor required
- Duke PI status is not required to submit, but is required at the time of award.
*Questions on eligibility should be directed to the CFAR Developmental Core