UPDATED: CFAR is now accepting pilot applications!

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UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

The Penn Center for AIDS Research (Penn CFAR) invites Pilot Grant applications. Projects can be in any areas of HIV/AIDS supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health including clinical, basic, behavioral and implementation science research. This year, we especially encourage projects focused on:

  • Implementation strategies, including implementation of Long-acting PrEP

  • Integration of AI technologies into HIV/AIDS research (all domains)

  • HIV and Aging (all domains, including basic science, clinical, psycho/social, implementation) 

  • Collaborations with Philadelphia Department of Public Health

  • Reducing HIV Incidence 

  • Developing next-generation HIV Therapies

  • Research towards HIV Cure

  • Addressing HIV-associated Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications

  • Research that harnesses mRNA technology to advance HIV/AIDS priorities

Pilot awards are open to investigators without prior R01-level funding in AIDS.  

Pilot projects are intended to lead to independent HIV/AIDS funding. 

All proposals must address high or medium priority areas in the NIH Priorities for HIV/AIDS: https://www.oar.nih.gov/hiv-policy-and-research/research-priorities

Pilot Award eligibility include:

  • New investigators without prior R01 level funding from NIH, or 

  • Established investigators who have had R01-level funding only in fields other than HIV/AIDS.

UPDATED September 15th:  THREE  types of pilot award are available:  

  1. General Pilot Research Awards 
  2. Mentored Research Scholar Awards
  3. mRNA Technology Awards

The award types are described in detail in the Pilot Program Guidelines.

Amount:  Awards are for a maximum of $50,000 per grant (up to $100,000 for mRNA technology awards). Applicants should provide justification for the proposed budget. Grants are for one-year and are not renewable. IRB approvals must be in place before funds can be dispersed.

A brief Letter of Intent (LOI) is requested two weeks before the application due date in order to allow us to plan for a rapid review process. The LOI should contain a brief summary of the planned work with enough detail to allow us to choose knowledgeable reviewers. The LOI should also list all individuals who will be directly involved with the research, who should be disqualified as potential reviewers.

Letter of Intent Deadline:  October 31, 2025

Application Deadline:  November 14, 2025

Funding release expected:  May 1, 2026

Please see the Pilot Program Guidelines for details!