Exploratory Clinical Neuroscience Research on Substance Use Disorders
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers investigating neuroscience aspects of substance use disorders. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations with active DUNS numbers and institutional research capacity. Grant supports exploratory and preliminary clinical research on biological, behavioral, and neurological mechanisms of addiction. Funding covers feasibility studies, pilot projects, and early-stage research leading to larger NIH grants.
Geographic scope is the United States. Both new and established researchers can apply. International collaborations are permitted with proper institutional oversight and compliance with federal regulations.
Key dates
- Mar 16, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 10, 2026 Application deadline in 39 days
- Apr 1, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2027 Project start
This grant is for researchers investigating neuroscience aspects of substance use disorders. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations with active DUNS numbers and institutional research capacity. Grant supports exploratory and preliminary clinical research on biological, behavioral, and neurological mechanisms of addiction. Funding covers feasibility studies, pilot projects, and early-stage research leading to larger NIH grants.
Geographic scope is the United States. Both new and established researchers can apply. International collaborations are permitted with proper institutional oversight and compliance with federal regulations.
Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) uses a R61/R33 Phased Innovation Award mechanism to support clinical research applications that are exploratory and developmental in nature and focus on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying SUD, including fundamental brain function relevant to substance use. This NOFO is particularly designed to support exploratory/developmental projects requiring budgets that would exceed that allowed for the R21 mechanism (Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers investigating neuroscience aspects of substance use disorders. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, research hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations with active DUNS numbers and institutional research capacity. Grant supports exploratory and preliminary clinical research on biological, behavioral, and neurological mechanisms of addiction. Funding covers feasibility studies, pilot projects, and early-stage research leading to larger NIH grants.
Geographic scope is the United States. Both new and established researchers can apply. International collaborations are permitted with proper institutional oversight and compliance with federal regulations.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH R21/R03 Application Form (or equivalent exploratory grant form)
- Research Narrative with Specific Aims, Significance, and Innovation sections
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch for all key personnel
- Letters of Institutional Support
- IRB/Ethics Committee approval documentation
- Preliminary data or feasibility evidence
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Neuroscience and Behavior (DNB)
- 📧 NIDA_DNB_BCNB_r61@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.279 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$128,078,833
-
$126,585,435
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,351,755
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,578,651
-
$50,344,757
-
$41,820,011
-
$39,479,041
Top States by Funding
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- CA 3 awards $90.2M
- KY 1 awards $79.3M
- MA 1 awards $78.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.279). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,245,503,136 | |
| 2025 | $1,343,517,098 | |
| 2026 est. | $20,194,375 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this NIH grant?
Universities, research hospitals, nonprofit research institutions, and other 501(c)(3) organizations with research infrastructure. Government agencies and federal contractors may also be eligible.
What types of research does this grant support?
Early-stage clinical neuroscience research on substance use disorders. Exploratory projects, feasibility studies, and pilot research are typical activities.
What documentation is required?
Expect to submit research proposals with specific aims, methodology, and significance statements. Budget documents, institutional commitments, and IRB/ethics approvals are standard.
How competitive is this program?
NIH grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 15-25% for exploratory programs. Strong preliminary data strengthens competitiveness.
What is the typical funding range?
Exploratory grants typically range from $150,000 to $300,000 per year. Exact amounts depend on research scope and institutional factors.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build on preliminary data. Even small pilot studies significantly strengthen your application and demonstrate feasibility.
- Establish clear, measurable aims. Reviewers need to understand exactly what you will accomplish and how you'll measure success.
- Address the clinical relevance. Connect your neuroscience research to real-world substance use disorder treatment and outcomes.
- Align with NIH priorities. Review current NIH strategic plans on addiction research and emphasize how your work supports these goals.
- Secure strong institutional support. Your research institution must commit to providing necessary infrastructure, space, and administrative resources.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak preliminary data or feasibility evidence. Applications fail when applicants lack sufficient pilot work to justify the proposed research approach. Poorly defined research objectives. Vague aims and unclear methodologies make it difficult for reviewers to assess significance and likelihood of success. Insufficient focus on clinical relevance. Research that is purely theoretical without clear connections to substance use disorder treatment or outcomes attracts lower scores.
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