Award
NIH Reporter #5K01DA063441-02
Implementation science to optimize HIV prevention and substance use services among men who have sex with men in the US
Recipient
Johns Hopkins University
Award Amount
$172,478.00
Ceiling
$172,478.00
Awarded
August 14, 2026
Identifier
5K01DA063441-02
A five-year NIH grant awarded to Johns Hopkins University to support Dr. Kaitlyn M Atkins in research to optimize HIV prevention and substance use services for men who have sex with men in Baltimore, focusing on implementation science and intervention development.
Description
This five-year K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award will provide training and mentored research to move Dr. Atkins from her observational research portfolio to a research program designing and evaluating tailored strategies to address HIV and drug use among key populations, with a focus on men who have sex with men (MSM). The award centers around training in implementation science theory, frameworks, and designs; HIV and substance use services supporting people who use drugs; advanced qualitative and mixed methods research; and implementation and evaluation of pilot trials. Supported by a team of expert mentors and in partnership with a leading provider in Baltimore, Dr. Atkins will conduct a mentored research project to optimize substance use (e.g., naloxone, drug treatment) and HIV services (e.g., testing, PrEP) for MSM in Baltimore. Recent evidence shows 20% of MSM trade sex, with disparities in HIV and drug use outcomes. The project aims to contextualize influences on high-risk sex, drug use, and health-seeking behavior among MSM, apply implementation mapping to improve service uptake, and assess strategies' acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy.