Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP) Initiative: Basic Research on The Deleterious Effects of Acute Exposure to Ultra-Potent Synthetic (UPS) Opioids (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic researchers, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations conducting basic research on the acute physiological and toxicological effects of ultra-potent synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl analogs). The NIH CCRP supports exploratory and foundational science aimed at understanding the mechanisms of opioid toxicity, overdose pathophysiology, and potential countermeasures. Eligible applicants include universities, medical schools, research hospitals, and 501(c)(3) organizations with research infrastructure. Clinical trials are not supported under this initiative. The program prioritizes research that could inform public health responses, treatment protocols, or medical countermeasures. Geographic scope is nationwide, and applicants must comply with NIH funding requirements and policies.
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Program description
This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will support research towards understanding and mitigating the deleterious effects of acute exposure to Ultra-Potent Synthetic (UPS) opioids (e.g., fentanyl, carfentanil, nitazenes) and their combinations (fentanyl and xylazine). This NOFO will also support research on the persistent and/or delayed pathophysiological effects after acute exposure to such agents.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form (NIH standard cover page)
- Project narrative (research strategy), typically 12-15 pages
- Specific aims (1 page maximum)
- Bibliography and references cited
- Budget justification narrative
- Biosketches of all key personnel (NIH format, max 5 pages each)
- Facilities and administrative resources description
- Letters of institutional support
- Data management and sharing plan
- Vertebrate animals or human subjects protection plans (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.839 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$70,347,724
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$28,221,244
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$26,367,044
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$26,196,066
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$24,828,830
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$22,197,349
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$20,132,449
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$18,556,003
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$17,136,580
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$16,771,574
Top States by Funding
- MA 15 awards $153.6M
- WI 6 awards $113.6M
- PA 13 awards $111.9M
- CA 9 awards $110.4M
- NY 8 awards $77.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.839). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $431,558,338 | |
| 2025 | $425,332,322 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this CCRP grant?
Universities, research institutions, medical schools, hospitals, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with research capacity can apply. Individual investigators must be affiliated with an eligible institution. Clinical trials are not permitted under this solicitation.
What types of research does this program support?
Basic research on the acute effects of ultra-potent synthetic opioids, including toxicology, mechanisms of action, physiological responses, and potential medical countermeasures. Applied clinical research is not eligible.
When is the application deadline and how often does it occur?
The deadline is November 18, 2027, with applications typically accepted on a fixed annual or multi-cycle schedule. Check NIH grants.gov for future funding opportunities.
How competitive is this program?
NIH R01-style grants are highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 15-25%. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and institutional research support are essential for competitiveness.
What is the typical funding range for awards?
R01 grants typically range from $200,000 to $500,000+ per year for 3-5 years, depending on scientific scope and institutional resources. Actual amounts vary by review panel recommendations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish clear preliminary data demonstrating the novel aspects of your approach to understanding ultra-potent synthetic opioid effects; NIH reviewers expect feasibility evidence.
- Frame your research within the broader public health context of the opioid crisis and explain how basic findings could inform treatment, detection, or countermeasures.
- Ensure your research team includes appropriate expertise in toxicology, pharmacology, or relevant biomedical sciences; strong letters of support from collaborators strengthen applications.
- Budget conservatively and justify all research costs (equipment, personnel, supplies) with specific relevance to your aims; unexplained or inflated budgets trigger reviewer concerns.
- Address potential criticisms proactively in your application narrative, particularly around study design rigor, statistical power, and reproducibility of methods.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack sufficient preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility, or they propose clinical interventions or trials, which violate the "not allowed" exclusion. Weak connections between proposed basic research and real-world countermeasures or public health impact also reduce competitiveness; reviewers expect clear significance statements that justify why this particular research on synthetic opioids matters now.
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