According to the FY 2021-2025 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research coordinated by the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR), HIV persists as one of the world’s most serious public health, development, and economic challenges. Improved tools for HIV viral load monitoring at the point-of-care are needed, across the U.S. and the globe, that are sufficiently sensitive and simple to use so people with HIV can assess therapy effectiveness and the potential for transmission in their communities.

In collaboration with OAR and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) is soliciting proposals through the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx®) program, to accelerate the commercialization of innovative point-of-care HIV viral load testing platforms that facilitate monitoring antiretroviral therapy effectiveness and accurately assess potential for transmission.

Up to four selected organizations have the opportunity to receive:

• Up to $1,000,000 in award funding
• Wrap-around assistance from a national network of expert technical, clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory advisors
• Support for technology de-risking, including third-party analytical and pre-clinical confirmation of device performance

The deadline for this opportunity has passed.