Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 060

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 060

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity "Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 060; CFDA 93.279) supports research aimed at explaining how repeated drug exposure changes the brain and how those changes drive substance use disorders. The central idea behind the announcement is that long-term misuse of addictive substances can reshape brain structure and function in lasting ways, and while the field has made meaningful advances, there are still major gaps in identifying exactly which neurobiological alterations occur and how they translate into the core features of addiction. This program places particular emphasis on the neuroadaptations linked to key stages of the addiction cycle, especially the transitions into dependence, the neurobiology of withdrawal, and the mechanisms that contribute to relapse after periods of abstinence. By clarifying these mechanisms, the research is expected to point toward more precise targets for prevention strategies and treatment interventions.

The FOA uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for hypothesis-driven, investigator-initiated projects with clearly articulated aims and a strong scientific rationale. Projects can be basic, translational, or clinical in nature, and the "clinical trial optional" designation signals that applicants may propose studies that do or do not include clinical trials, depending on what best fits the scientific question. In practical terms, this allows a wide range of neuroscience approaches, from fundamental work on neural circuits, synaptic plasticity, and molecular signaling, to translational studies connecting animal and human findings, to clinical research examining brain-based markers, functional changes, or other neurobiological correlates of substance use disorders. The unifying requirement is that the proposed work directly advances understanding of the brain mechanisms that underlie substance use disorders and the persistence of drug seeking, dependence-related changes, withdrawal effects, and relapse vulnerability.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and government entities, such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Academic institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. A range of nonprofit organizations can apply, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible applicants. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for a number of institutions and communities that NIH often encourages to participate in biomedical research funding, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized) are also included among eligible applicants.

A notable feature of this announcement is its openness to international participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may be included, and foreign components (as defined by NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. This structure supports collaborative and cross-national research efforts when they are scientifically justified, for example when unique populations, specialized expertise, or distinct research resources are needed to answer the neuroscience questions posed by the FOA.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant program within the education and health funding activity area, administered by NIH. The source data lists an original closing date of January 7, 2020, and does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, which typically means applicants must refer to the full FOA and NIH policy guidance for budget expectations and related constraints. Overall, this announcement is designed for investigators seeking to map and explain the brain changes caused by chronic substance exposure, connect those changes to clinically relevant behaviors and symptoms, and ultimately generate knowledge that can be translated into better prevention and treatment approaches for substance use disorders.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 18 060

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