Implementation Research in HRSA Ryan White Sites: Screening and Treatment for Mental and Substance Use Disorders to Further the National Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Goals (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 20 521

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 20 521

This grant opportunity, titled "Implementation Research in HRSA Ryan White Sites: Screening and Treatment for Mental and Substance Use Disorders to Further the National Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Goals (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)," is an NIH funding announcement designed to strengthen how HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program-funded clinical sites identify and address mental health and substance use disorders among people with HIV. The basic idea is that improving screening, linkage to care, and treatment for these conditions inside Ryan White settings can directly support the national Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, since untreated depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders can undermine retention in HIV care, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and viral suppression. The FOA emphasizes implementation research, meaning it is focused less on proving whether a clinical intervention works in principle and more on figuring out how to put effective practices into routine clinic operations in real-world Ryan White environments.

The mechanism is an R34 (Clinical Trial Optional), which signals that NIH is looking for pilot or feasibility studies rather than large, definitive trials. In practical terms, applicants are expected to use this funding to test whether a proposed implementation approach is workable, acceptable to patients and staff, and sustainable in the context of Ryan White service delivery. Projects might involve developing or refining workflows for systematic screening, testing strategies to increase uptake of treatment, integrating behavioral health and HIV care processes, addressing barriers like staffing and training, or improving referral and follow-up systems. If an applicant wants to run a fully powered, confirmatory study aimed at producing definitive evidence, the FOA points them to a companion R01 opportunity (RFA-MH-20-520), which is better suited for larger-scale effectiveness or implementation-effectiveness research.

The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligibility includes state, county, and local 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as faith-based or community-based organizations; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions; and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly restricts foreign involvement: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) cannot apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant in the health funding category (CFDA 93.242) administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity number is RFA-MH-20-521, and the original closing date listed is January 31, 2020, with a creation date of November 25, 2019. The summary information provided does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period expectations, and detailed review criteria. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at generating practical, actionable knowledge on how Ryan White HIV clinics can more effectively and consistently detect and treat mental and substance use disorders as part of routine HIV care, thereby supporting EHE outcomes like improved retention in care and viral suppression.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Implementation Research in HRSA Ryan White Sites: Screening and Treatment for Mental and Substance Use Disorders to Further the National Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Goals (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-11-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-31. (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 MH 20 521

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