Aligning HIV/AIDS Receipt Dates with General Standard Receipt Dates to Simplify Application Processes and Reduce Burden for Researchers

Blog by Dr. Bruce Reed, Acting Director of the Center for Scientific Review, Dr. Geri Donenberg, Director of the Office of AIDS Research, and Dr. Jon Lorsch, NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research. 

Simplifying administrative processes to reduce burden for the scientific community and the NIH is one of several ongoing NIH priorities for 2026. Toward this goal, the final HIV/AIDS-specific application receipt date will be May 7, 2026, corresponding to the August/October 2026 council round (or Cycle I). HIV/AIDS-related applications submitted after May 7, 2026 will follow the general standard application receipt dates (NOT-OD-26-029), corresponding to the January 2027 council round (or Cycle II).

Importantly, aligning application receipt dates does not change the number of opportunities per year (i.e., three) to submit proposals focused on HIV/AIDS research.

Aligning the receipt dates will simplify:

• The grant submission process for applicants by eliminating confusion over the appropriate submission dates;   
• NIH receipt and referral processes, improving efficiency and reducing administrative costs; and
• Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), as part of NIH’s wider efforts to simplify application processes overall.

NIH remains committed to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States within a decade, a stated priority for the NIH Director (also discussed in this NIH Director’s Desk conversation). NIH will continue to support meritorious research ideas that prevent, diagnose, treat, and eventually cure HIV/AIDS.

Why HIV/AIDS-specific application receipt dates were created

In 1988, NIH created an expedited review and award process for contract proposals and grant applications in HIV/AIDS research. The intent was to fast-track HIV/AIDS applications from referral to award due to the HIV/AIDS public health crisis. HIV/AIDS applications were submitted on special receipt dates to shorten the timeframe between grant submission and notice of intent to award. Consistent with most other applications, dates for HIV/AIDS applications were three times per year, four months apart. Applicants did not have any additional opportunities to apply.

What to expect moving forward

We have reconsidered the need for non-standard review dates for HIV/AIDS-related grants in the context of:

• NIH efforts to simplify the grant application processes.
• Growth in the number of applications received (from 32,000 in 1988 to 102,000 in 2025).
• Focus on reducing administrative burden for NIH staff and the research community.

Applications submitted for the May 7, 2026 due date will be considered for August/October 2026 council (or Cycle I).

Effective May 8, 2026, all HIV/AIDS-related research applications must be submitted using the standard due dates for non-HIV/AIDS applications, or when specified, the application due date indicated in the relevant NOFO. These applications will be considered for the January 2027 council (or Cycle II) and beyond.

How does the change affect me?

Applicants will no longer need to decipher whether the HIV/AIDS deadline applies to their application and risk delayed review. The non-standard due dates did not apply to all HIV/AIDS-related science. For example, less than 40% of applications submitted to the HIV/AIDS due dates in 2025 qualified. Applications that were incorrectly designated were delayed significantly, as they were not reviewed until the next round.

Applicants are advised to carefully review the entire calendar of application due dates, as receipt dates vary by activity code and submission type within a given cycle.

This change does not affect the number of grant review cycles each year that consider HIV/AIDS-related science. Applications will continue to be accepted three times per year, four months apart.

How does the change affect review by HIV/AIDS study sections?

Applications will be assigned to the study section with the most appropriate scientific expertise based on the content of the application. Assignment will no longer be limited to the six dedicated HIV/AIDS study sections when another study section represents a better scientific fit.

How does the change affect my chances of getting funded?

This alignment of application due dates does not affect funding decisions or the likelihood that an application will be funded.

Does this change represent a diminished commitment to HIV/AIDS research by the NIH?

No. The Trump administration has repeatedly stated its commitment to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030. NIH leadership has reaffirmed its intention to support a comprehensive research portfolio in HIV and AIDS, including basic science, therapeutics, prevention, treatment, cure, and implementation science to ensure that all people benefit from gold standard evidence-based interventions.

How does this change increase efficiency?

To date, HIV/AIDS-related grants are processed manually, resulting in extensive administrative burden particularly given the increase in applications over the past 40 years. By eliminating the manual processes required for review and referral of HIV/AIDS applications, assignments will be conducted more efficiently.