HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

This is a grant program titled "HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions". This program aims to promote locally relevant research into HIV-associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It seeks to strengthen research capabilities, create a community of researchers within and across these countries and address this significant health challenge.

The program anticipates driving new investigations into how HIV interacts with the development of NCDs in individuals living with HIV. The grant will also fund studies to discover how much HIV infection contributes to NCDs' development and to find effective strategies for diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and integrated patient care for these dual-condition patients.

Applicants are encouraged to align their research with the NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities. Teams should include a mix of experts proficient in both HIV and NCD research. These collaborations aim to generate fresh perspectives and evaluate the viability of new strategies to alleviate suffering caused by these concurrent disorders.

The program also addresses the need of partnering LMIC institutions to develop adequate research capacity in this area. Both U.S. and LMIC researchers can apply, but collaborative projects conducted at LMIC sites must involve an LMIC investigator partnering with a U.S. investigator.

LMICs are classified by the World Bank system based on per capita Gross National Income into three categories: low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income.