Pilot Award RFP

2024 Duke CFAR Pilot Award Request for Proposals

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.

Letter of Intent Deadline (required): Extended to March 1, 2024

Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

Two types of Pilot Awards are available

  • Standard Pilot Awards (7 pages) – up to a maximum award of $100,000 direct funding
  • Focused Pilot Awards (3 pages) – up to a maximum award of $60,000 direct funding 

Proposals 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 also include: Artificial Intelligence and HIV & Aging and may be prioritized.

RFP Schedule

  • REQUIRED Letter of Intent Due:  Monday, February 19, 2024
  • Proposals Due:  May 1, 2024
  • Application Review:  May 2024
  • Projected Award Date:  July 1, 2024
  • Period of Award:  Award period is 12 months or less    

Letter of Intent Submission (download form) will be through this LINK

Download the required documents:                  

CFAR RFP – PDF
Coversheet - DOC
Checklist – DOC
Core Services Doc – webpage – PDF

Eligibility for CFAR Pilot Grant Award

Faculty

  • No prior R01 level funding in the HIV/AIDS field
  • Applicants with prior R01 funding in other fields are encouraged to apply

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, see Application information below
  • A PI Status request must be submitted and obtained by the applicant’s home department prior to grant submission.

*Questions on eligibility should be directed to the CFAR Developmental Core