Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program Expansion: CNS Data Generation for Chronic Opioid, Methamphetamine, and/or Cocaine Exposures (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DA 21 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 21 019

The Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program Expansion opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-21-019) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary funding announcement that uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism and specifically does not allow clinical trials. The purpose of the program is to expand the SCORCH effort by supporting the generation of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets from the central nervous system (CNS), focused on at least one brain region that is relevant to persistent HIV infection and to the biology of substance use exposure, particularly chronic exposure to opioids and/or stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine. In practical terms, the funding is aimed at producing high-resolution, cell-by-cell gene expression data that can help researchers understand how these substances may shape CNS cell states and pathways in ways that intersect with HIV persistence and HIV-associated neuropathology.

The scientific emphasis is on data generation rather than running interventional human studies. The core deliverable implied by the announcement is the creation of scRNA-seq datasets that can characterize cellular populations and molecular responses within brain tissue under conditions relevant to chronic opioid, methamphetamine, and/or cocaine exposures, in a context that informs HIV persistence in the brain. By focusing on single-cell approaches, the program is aligning with a broader NIH interest in mapping heterogeneity across CNS cell types (for example, microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons, and infiltrating immune cells) and identifying exposure-associated shifts in transcriptional programs that might contribute to viral reservoirs, neuroinflammation, altered immune responses, or other mechanisms tied to HIV in the CNS.

Administratively, the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U01), which typically indicates substantial scientific or programmatic involvement from NIH staff compared with standard investigator-initiated grants. While the announcement text provided does not list a dollar ceiling or the number of expected awards, it clearly identifies the instrument type, the sponsoring agency (NIH), and the broad scope of work: CNS single-cell data generation related to HIV persistence and chronic substance exposures. The activity category is listed under education and health, and the CFDA/assistance listing number is 93.279, which corresponds to NIH research support within the drug abuse portfolio.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility suggests NIH intended to encourage participation from diverse institutions and organizational types, including those serving underrepresented communities and those with specialized access to relevant resources, data, or tissue repositories.

Key timing details in the source information include a creation date of May 12, 2020, and an original closing date of July 20, 2021. The title also makes clear the focus on chronic opioid and stimulant exposures and the CNS context, positioned as an expansion of the SCORCH program. Overall, this opportunity can be read as a targeted investment in generating foundational single-cell transcriptomic resources that the field can use to better understand how chronic substance exposures interact with HIV-related biology in the brain, with the expectation that such datasets will enable downstream mechanistic studies, biomarker discovery, and hypothesis development across neuroscience, addiction, and HIV research.

• 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 Expansion: CNS Data Generation for Chronic Opioid, Methamphetamine, and/or Cocaine Exposures (U01 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 2020-05-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-20. (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 21 019

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: