Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 28 090

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 28 090

The Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) funding opportunity (PAR-28-090) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supports institution-based centers designed to strengthen and accelerate HIV/AIDS research. Rather than funding a single research project, this program supports a P30 center grant structure that focuses on providing shared infrastructure, administrative coordination, and centralized resources that investigators across an institution or region can use. A key aim is to make high-value expertise, services, and research capabilities available in ways that individual investigator-initiated grants often cannot efficiently provide, ultimately improving the quality, reach, and impact of HIV/AIDS research. The NOFO is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose clinical trials as part of the center grant activities, even though the supported infrastructure may still facilitate non-trial research and broader scientific programs consistent with NIH policy and the specific terms of the award.

At its core, CFARs and D-CFARs are meant to serve as hubs that enable interdisciplinary collaboration across the full spectrum of HIV/AIDS research. That includes basic laboratory science, translational research, clinical and behavioral research that does not meet the definition of a clinical trial under NIH rules, implementation science, and population-focused or public health-oriented research. The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration is central: the program is intended to reduce silos by creating shared platforms, coordinating expertise, and supporting cross-cutting activities that connect investigators working in different domains of HIV research. In practical terms, a CFAR or D-CFAR typically functions as a structured environment where researchers can access common resources, obtain specialized methodological or scientific support, and participate in coordinated planning and prioritization that aligns institutional strengths with urgent needs in HIV/AIDS.

The main difference implied by the titles is that CFAR awards support established centers, while D-CFAR awards support "developmental" centers that are still building toward the scale, maturity, or breadth of a full CFAR. Both mechanisms, however, share the same fundamental purpose: to enhance HIV/AIDS research capacity through administrative and shared support. The "center" model generally involves core components that may include an administrative core and various shared resource cores, services, or programs that investigators can use, as well as activities that promote collaboration and help launch or strengthen HIV-related research efforts. While the NOFO text provided does not list required cores or structures, the repeated emphasis on infrastructure and shared services signals that applicants should propose a coherent, center-wide plan that clearly explains what the center will provide, who will use it, and how those resources will measurably strengthen HIV/AIDS research.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The opportunity also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant types such as Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions). This wide eligibility suggests NIH is seeking strong, well-organized center applications from a broad range of institutions and organizational models, including those positioned to serve diverse communities and regions.

From an administrative standpoint, the program is categorized under Health and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers, reflecting that it aligns with a range of NIH and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program authorities that support HIV/AIDS and related biomedical and public health research. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is labeled discretionary. The listing indicates an expected number of awards of 6, with an original closing date of May 25, 2029, and a creation date of October 16, 2026. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants need to consult the full NOFO text and any NIH institute or center-specific budget guidance to understand allowable budget ranges, cost principles, and expectations for scale.

Overall, this NOFO is best understood as support for a research-enabling ecosystem rather than a single hypothesis-driven project. Successful applicants would be expected to articulate how the proposed CFAR or D-CFAR will provide unique value that is "not readily obtained through other funding mechanisms," how it will coordinate and elevate HIV/AIDS research across disciplines, and how the proposed administrative and shared resources will be used by investigators to produce stronger, more integrated, and more efficient HIV/AIDS research programs.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.233, 93.242, 93.279, 93.307, 93.310, 93.361, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.989.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-10-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-05-25.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 28 090

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