Prevention and Treatment through a Comprehensive Care Continuum for HIV-affected Adolescents in Resource-Constrained Settings--Implementation Science Network (PATC3H-IN)

The Prevention and Treatment through a Comprehensive Care Continuum for HIV-affected Adolescents in Resource Constrained Settings–Implementation Science Network (PATC3H-IN) conducts implementation science (IS) research on adolescent HIV. PATC3H-IN develops scalable, low-resource care delivery models in low- and middle-income countries that can be adapted for marginalized and high-burden US populations. It aligns with NIH's Unified Strategy prioritizing IS to expand uptake of and access to HIV interventions. PATC3H-IN will study and test the impact of implementation strategies on adolescent HIV incidence, prevention uptake, and viral suppression, providing a strong evidence base for interventions that can be used in US-based programs. Resource-constrained, high-burden settings outside the US provide an unparalleled environment for adolescent HIV implementation science that aims to strengthen HIV care in the US. Higher HIV incidence and prevalence allow researchers to rigorously evaluate implementation strategies in large adolescent populations. The studies produce robust evidence on effectiveness, scalability, adaptation, and sustainability. These studies complement U.S.-based research by generating evidence that is difficult to obtain within the smaller, geographically dispersed population of adolescents living with HIV in the US. In addition, they test implementation strategies across a wide range of health systems and community settings. Limited local resources outside the US also drive innovation through necessity. Health systems develop efficient, scalable models of care–including differentiated service delivery, task sharing, peer support, digital adherence interventions, and community-based care–to maximize impact with available resources. Many international HIV programs also operate within coordinated care systems that can rapidly test, adapt, and refine service delivery strategies through continuous, data-driven evaluation. This operational flexibility supports rapid-cycle learning and implementation at a pace that is often difficult to achieve in the more complex and decentralized U.S. healthcare system. Combined with access to large adolescent cohorts, these settings provide an exceptional platform for generating rigorous, practice-ready implementation evidence. The innovations are directly relevant to the United States, where adolescents...

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of the significance of the proposed research; approach; innovation; investigators; and environment. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget...

Fiscal year 2025: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Understanding the role of early life social determinants and sex-specific pubertal pathways in the development of adolescent chronic pain. 2) Improving In Vitro Fertilization Success through Multiplexed Optical Metabolic Imaging. 3) Genetic Studies of Large Palindromes. 4) A Safe, Fast, and Cost-Effective System for Tissue Removal in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Other Minimally Invasive Surgery. The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the cooperative agreement award class type. 1) Study of Treatment and Reproductive outcomes. 2) Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS): Research on Immune Aging, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Perinatal Acquisition: Elucidating Relationships in HIV (RISE). 3) Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Data Coordinating Center. 4) NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network: Data Coordinating Center. Fiscal year 2026: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2026 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Placental Proteins and Prematurity. 2) In...