Initiative: Integrative Management of Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) for Whole Recovery: Health Systems
Can you apply?
This grant is for health systems and research institutions seeking to improve integrated delivery of opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain care. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, community health centers, and research institutions with capacity to conduct implementation science research. The grant supports studies testing collaborative care models and health system strategies to sustainably integrate OUD and pain management services. Geographically, this NIH grant is open to applicants nationwide.
Key dates
- Jul 17, 2025 Applications open
- Nov 2, 2026 Application deadline in 154 days
- Apr 1, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2027 Project start
This grant is for health systems and research institutions seeking to improve integrated delivery of opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain care. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, community health centers, and research institutions with capacity to conduct implementation science research. The grant supports studies testing collaborative care models and health system strategies to sustainably integrate OUD and pain management services. Geographically, this NIH grant is open to applicants nationwide.
Program description
Forty to sixty percent of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) have co-occurring chronic pain (CP), which impacts their ability to fully engage in treatment. Effective management of both conditions is hindered by siloed medical disciplines and health systems. HEAL Integrative Management of Chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR) was funded in FY21 to support 11 unique clinical trials to test novel interventions for the management of co-occurring chronic pain and OUD at the patient-level. The current NOFO will develop strategies to address barriers to the sustainable and effective delivery of integrated OUD/pain care at the health systems level. IMPOWR identified patient interventions that were effective and ready to implement. The current NOFO will address how health systems could be improved to facilitate the use of effective integrative interventions, including the involvement and roles of peer specialists, clinicians, health system leaders and other key decision makers. Also, this NOFO will characterize where such care can be optimally and efficiently delivered. Studies will identify collaborative care models, implementation strategies, and other innovative health system approaches to meaningfully integrate CP and OUD service provision in health settings. These studies will address complex factors that influence the ability to scale and sustain effective collaborative and integrated care for pain and OUD.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in partnership with National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research on the effective management of OUD and CP. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the RM1 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of chronic pain management and OUD/opioid misuse are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in community-based participatory research approaches, implementation science, and other strategies to amplify scalability and sustainability will be encouraged and, these investigators should also begin considering applying for this NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Community Health Center
- County Government
- Hospital
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for health systems and research institutions seeking to improve integrated delivery of opioid use disorder (OUD) and chronic pain care. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, community health centers, and research institutions with capacity to conduct implementation science research. The grant supports studies testing collaborative care models and health system strategies to sustainably integrate OUD and pain management services. Geographically, this NIH grant is open to applicants nationwide.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Biosketches
- Letters of Support from Health System Partners
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Shelley Su, Ph.D. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- 📧 IMPOWR@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-3869
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 HEAL IMPOWR health systems grant?
Academic medical centers, health systems, hospitals, community health centers, and research institutions with expertise in implementation science and integrated care delivery. Collaborative teams combining clinical, implementation, and community perspectives are encouraged.
What is the deadline and when does this NOFO open?
The deadline is November 2, 2026. This is a pre-announcement; the formal Notice of Funding Opportunity has not yet been released. Apply now to begin planning collaborations.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
Studies that test health system strategies, collaborative care models, and implementation approaches to integrate chronic pain and OUD services. Projects should address scalability, sustainability, and involve peer specialists, clinicians, and health leaders.
How competitive is this grant?
NIH research grants are highly competitive. Strong applications include clear implementation science frameworks, feasible timelines, experienced teams, and evidence that interventions are ready for implementation.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts are not specified in the pre-announcement. Contact NIDA or consult similar NIH implementation research grants for typical ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building collaborations now with health system partners and implementation scientists; the formal NOFO has not yet released.
- Ground your study in one or more effective OUD/pain interventions already identified as working at the patient level.
- Design your health system strategy to address real barriers to integrated care—not just clinical barriers, but organizational and workflow issues.
- Include diverse perspectives from clinicians, peer specialists, administrators, and patients in your study design.
- Use established implementation science frameworks and clearly explain how your model could scale and sustain beyond the grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing new patient-level interventions rather than testing existing effective ones in health system contexts. Overlooking organizational readiness and change management needed for true integration. Underestimating the complexity of aligning multiple disciplines and funding streams within health systems.
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