Request for Applications: Special Emphasis Pilot Project

The Midwest D-CFAR is seeking proposals that uncover systemic gaps in HIV care and develop innovative tools or strategies to address them. Projects should align with the HIV/AIDS priorities of the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative in Missouri, with a particular focus on addressing HIV-related challenges and opportunities in St. Louis, Missouri, or the broader Midwest region. Awardees will receive direct engagement and support from Midwest D-CFAR leadership throughout the course of the project.

Up to $20,000 will be awarded to successful applicants. You must be a D-CFAR member to be eligible. (Click here for more information on membership).

Proposal Focus Areas

  • Identifying root causes of HIV-related health outcomes (e.g., hospitalizations, late diagnoses)

  • Using real-world data to quantify health losses due to gaps in care (e.g., DALYs, care delays)

  • Developing tools, surveys, or frameworks that highlight care cascade failures or improvement opportunities

  • Engaging stakeholders to co-design actionable and sustainable solutions

Available Awards

Investigator Pilot Award: For new HIV investigators in generating preliminary data for a full K award proposal, investigators applying for their first R award, and investigators new to HIV but established in other areas, to apply for their first HIV-focused research award.

Partner Pilot Awards: For investigator pairs, with one person from an academic institution and the other from a community-based organization or public health agency.

Applicants may apply to one or both award mechanisms.

Submission Requirements

Applicants should submit a single PDF that includes the following:

  • Specific Aims (one page)

  • Approach (one page)

  • Brief description (one paragraph) of how this work will support future NIH or foundation applications

  • NIH biosketch for the principal investigator (and co-investigator, if applicable)

  • Detailed budget pages and budget justification

  • Collaboration letter (two paragraphs, Partner Pilot Award only)

Submission deadline: July 18

Questions? Review our FAQ document, then contact dev@midwestdcfar.org if you still need guidance.

2025 KEY DATES

Letter of Intent deadline: July 7

Submission deadline: July 18

Awardee notified: August 1

Earliest start date: August 1