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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the SCORCH Program: CNS Data Generation (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

The Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: CNS Data Generation is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports the creation of high-value, single-cell datasets from the central nervous system (CNS). It uses a UM1 cooperative agreement mechanism to fund coordinated, milestone-driven data generation efforts intended to become a foundational resource for the wider research community.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to generate detailed, cell-by-cell molecular profiles (single-cell resolution) from one or more brain regions that are especially relevant to opioid use disorder and persistent HIV infection in the brain. A central aim is to produce a granular "cellular parts list" for selected NIDA-relevant brain regions by cataloging distinct CNS cell types and their gene expression programs.

What kinds of data are expected to be generated?

The opportunity emphasizes building single-cell datasets from the CNS. These datasets are described as detailed molecular profiles at single-cell resolution, focused on defining cell types in targeted brain regions and characterizing gene expression programs within those cell populations.

Which brain regions are the focus of the project?

The focus is on one or more brain regions that are particularly relevant to opioid use disorder and to persistent HIV infection in the brain. The opportunity also notes that these regions should be relevant to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) mission (i.e., "NIDA-relevant brain regions").

What scientific questions is the program expected to help answer?

Based on the provided description, the resulting datasets are expected to help answer several major questions, including: (1) what cell types exist in targeted brain regions and how those cell types relate to each other molecularly; (2) how chronic opioid exposure reshapes gene expression within specific CNS cell populations; (3) how HIV infection in the CNS affects individual cells and potential mechanisms linked to HIV-related neurological complications; and (4) whether chronic opioid exposure and HIV infection have synergistic CNS effects (combined impacts different from simply adding each condition's effects).

How does this opportunity relate to opioid use disorder?

The program is intended to clarify which specific CNS cell populations are most involved in opioid-related neuroadaptations by examining how chronic opioid exposure alters gene expression programs at single-cell resolution. This may help identify biological pathways and potential therapeutic targets relevant to opioid addiction.

How does this opportunity relate to HIV in the brain?

The program aims to reveal how HIV infection in the CNS affects individual cells. The intent is to highlight mechanisms behind HIV-related neurological complications and identify candidate targets that could reduce or prevent HIV neurobiological sequelae.

Does the program specifically address the intersection of opioids and HIV?

Yes. A stated aim is to examine whether chronic opioid exposure and HIV infection produce synergistic effects in the CNS, meaning combined effects that differ from the effects of opioids alone plus HIV alone.

Is this funding intended to support a clinical trial?

No. The funding opportunity title explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." The work should be centered on data generation and related research activities rather than interventional clinical studies.

What does "UM1 cooperative agreement" mean in this context?

The opportunity uses the cooperative agreement mechanism, which indicates substantial NIH scientific or programmatic involvement during the project period. It is described as coordinated and milestone-driven, reflecting active collaboration and oversight compared with more standard grant mechanisms.

Which federal agency is sponsoring this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is RFA-DA-19-037.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number provided is 93.279.

What is the listed activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Education and Health.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. The description includes many U.S.-based organizations and governmental units, including 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; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, provided they are not institutions of higher education under that category) are eligible. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may also apply. Additional highlighted eligible groups include certain minority-serving institutions and other entities, as well as eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and also explicitly includes small businesses.

Are nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) status?

No. The eligibility description includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) IRS status (with the noted qualifier that they are not institutions of higher education under that category).

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and also includes Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.

Are minority-serving institutions and faith-based/community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicant groups.

Are non-U.S. entities eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Are U.S. territories or possessions included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The opportunity mentions U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant groups.

When was this opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on 2019-04-01, and the original closing date listed is 2019-10-08.

Is the award ceiling or number of awards specified?

No. The provided source details state that the award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified.

Where would applicants typically find details like budget expectations, project period length, milestones, and data sharing requirements?

The provided information indicates that applicants would need to consult the full announcement for details such as budget expectations, project period length, milestone structure, and data sharing requirements that are often associated with large-scale single-cell data generation efforts.