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Funding Opportunity: ARI Retention Bridging Awards

Call for Applications: ARI Retention Bridge Awards for Early/Mid-Career HIV Research Investigators

The UCSF AIDS Research Institute is pleased to announce a new funding program aimed at supporting early and mid-career investigators working in HIV research who have been impacted by recent changes in the NIH funding landscape. This program, the ARI Retention Bridging Awards, is designed to contribute to temporary financial relief to ensure the retention of talented HIV research faculty facing current funding challenges due to grant/contract terminations, delays in notices of award, and cancellation of awards pursuant to the new notice on foreign subawards (NOT-OD-25-104).

Purpose of the Program

  • Support retention of early and mid-career HIV research investigators during critical transitions caused by fluctuations in NIH funding.
  • Contribute to temporary salary/benefit support to mitigate the impact of funding interruptions and the need for time to submit new grant proposals or modify current grant proposals.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ARI Retention Bridging Awards, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a UCSF primary Assistant or Associate Professor faculty position (all series are welcome)
  • Have 50% or more of their Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) supported by research funding
  • Conduct research primarily focused on HIV and/or related infections and complications.
  • Demonstrate a clear impact from recent changes in the NIH funding landscape, such as grant terminations, delays in notices of award (continuations or new grants), or cancellation of foreign subcontracts.
  • Have concrete plans to adjust to new funding environment with new grants or new focus of research.
  • Have or will have spent down discretionary accounts to a balance of no more than $40K by September 30, 2025.

Funding Amount and Duration

  • Award Amount: $30,000
  • Duration: Funds must be spent within one year from the date of the award (anticipated July 1, 2025).
  • Funding Usage: The award is strictly to be used for UCSF faculty salaries and benefits (base salary only, no Z or additional payments).

Factors for Consideration

Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:

  1. Reason for Being at Risk: Clear explanation of the specific circumstances that have placed the applicant at risk, such as grant terminations, delays in notices of award (either continuation or new awards, or cancellation of awards due to foreign subcontracts restrictions.
  2. Need: Demonstration of significant financial need due to the impact of NIH funding changes, including availability of discretionary funding
  3. Department/Division Commitment: Evidence of strong support and commitment from the applicant’s department or division, including any additional resources or support they can provide. Note that this factor is not required, but if the department or division is unable to provide support, the reasoning must be justified.
  4. Plans for adjusting research in new funding environment. Assessment of the applicant’s plans.

Application Process

Eligible HIV research investigators should submit the following documents electronically below:

  • Half page (up to ~300 words) with the following components:
    1. A brief description of their research program
    2. An explanation of the specific circumstances placing them at risk
    3. A description of their need and resources available (including, if applicable, discretionary funds and department/divisional commitment)
    4. Plans to adjust their research in the new funding environment if bridged.
  • Biosketch from a recently submitted terminated or delayed funded proposal

If selected for funding - The Division Chief/Department Chair or person responsible for sign off on the pay plan of the applicant will need to verify by June 30th that the candidate will have a funded position for FY26, and that their discretionary accounts will be projected to be < $40,000 by September.

Deadline for Applications

Applications must be submitted by COB Monday, June 16. Late applications will not be considered. We aim to have funding decisions finalized within 2-3 weeks.

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding the application process, please contact Lauren Sterling (lauren.sterling@ucsf.edu).

We look forward to supporting our dedicated investigators through this challenging period and helping to ensure the continued excellence of HIV research at UCSF.

Application Form

Please submit your application in the form below. If you have any issues with the form display, the form can also be accessed at the following link.