Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: CNS Data Generation (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DA 19 037

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 19 037

The Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: CNS Data Generation (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to build high-value single-cell datasets from the central nervous system (CNS). The focus is on generating detailed, cell-by-cell molecular profiles from one or more brain regions that are especially relevant to opioid use disorder and to persistent HIV infection in the brain. Rather than funding a clinical trial, this UM1 cooperative agreement supports coordinated, milestone-driven data generation efforts that can serve as a foundational resource for the broader research community.

At its core, the opportunity aims to produce a granular "cellular parts list" for selected National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-relevant brain regions. This means cataloging the distinct cell types present in those regions and characterizing how they differ in their gene expression programs at single-cell resolution. By mapping normal and disease-associated cellular states, the program is intended to clarify which specific CNS cell populations are most involved in opioid-related neuroadaptations, HIV-associated neurobiological changes, or the intersection of both conditions.

If successful, the resulting datasets are expected to answer several major questions. First, they should define what cell types exist in targeted brain regions and how those cell types relate to each other molecularly. Second, they should show how chronic opioid exposure reshapes gene expression within specific cell populations, helping researchers pinpoint biological pathways and potential therapeutic targets relevant to opioid addiction. Third, they should reveal how HIV infection in the CNS affects individual cells, which could highlight mechanisms behind HIV-related neurological complications and identify candidate targets to reduce or prevent HIV neurobiological sequelae. Finally, the program explicitly aims to examine whether chronic opioid exposure and HIV infection produce synergistic effects in the CNS, meaning combined impacts that are different from simply adding the effects of each condition alone.

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant using the cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial NIH scientific or programmatic involvement during the project period. The funding instrument type is a Cooperative Agreement, and the activity category is listed under Education and Health. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number associated with the opportunity is 93.279. The funding opportunity number is RFA-DA-19-037, and the title specifies "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," signaling that the proposed work should be centered on data generation and related research activities rather than interventional clinical studies.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental units, such as state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) IRS status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education under that category). For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply as well. The opportunity also highlights additional eligible applicant groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an intent to encourage wide participation and data contributions across diverse institutions and settings.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was created on 2019-04-01, with an original closing date of 2019-10-08. The award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source details, which often means applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget expectations, project period length, milestone structure, and data sharing requirements typically associated with large-scale single-cell data generation efforts.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: CNS Data Generation (UM1 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): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-04-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-10-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RFA DA 19 037

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