Phased Innovation Awards in AIDS Vaccine Research (R21/R33)

-Purpose. This program will support prophylactic vaccine research projects that are innovative, novel, may be high risk/high impact, and that exhibit the potential to advance AIDS prophylactic vaccine design or evaluation. All areas of investigation contributing to the development of an efficacious HIV/AIDS vaccine are welcome. Clinical trials will not be supported under this initiative. -Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Phased Innovation (combined R21 [Phase I, Exploratory]/R33 [Phase II, Developmental]) grant mechanism. Awards will support milestone-driven exploratory/feasibility proof of concept studies (2 year R21 phase), with possible rapid transition to expanded development (2-3 year R33 phase). Initially funded R21 studies will be tested over two years via milestone completion, and eligible R21s will be further assessed for the R33 award. -Funds Available. Funding will be based on scientific and technical merit, program priorities, and availability of funds. The R21 award will be limited to $275,000 directs over the two year award period, and the R33 award will be limited to $300,000 in direct costs per annum. NIH anticipates that a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the funded R21 phase awards will progress to the R33 award.