Initiative: Integrative Management of chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR) – Building Engagement, Assistance, Capacity, Outreach, and Networks (BEACON) Center
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations and institutions studying the integrated management of chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, hospitals, and health systems with expertise in pain management, substance abuse treatment, or implementation science. The focus is on collaborative care models and implementation strategies to scale evidence-based integrated care across diverse health settings. Applicants should demonstrate capacity to engage health system leaders, clinicians, peer specialists, and payers in research implementation.
Key dates
- Aug 27, 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 research organizations and institutions studying the integrated management of chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, hospitals, and health systems with expertise in pain management, substance abuse treatment, or implementation science. The focus is on collaborative care models and implementation strategies to scale evidence-based integrated care across diverse health settings. Applicants should demonstrate capacity to engage health system leaders, clinicians, peer specialists, and payers in research implementation.
Program description
40-75% 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 test novel interventions for the management of co-occurring CP and OUD at the patient level. This initiative will test different implementation strategies and other approaches to address scalability and sustainability of evidence based practices for CP and OUD from a health system perspective. Studies will engage key decision leaders in health systems including but not limited to: peer specialists, clinicians, health system leaders, and payers. Studies will execute a single hybrid II/III implementation-effectiveness trial to focus on collaborative care models and implementation strategies to meaningfully integrate CP and OUD service provision in diverse health settings. These studies will address complex factors that influence the ability to scale and sustain effective and integrated care for CP and OUD. The BEACON Center will provide: (1) network coordination support, (2) capacity building at the intersection of CP, OUD, and implementation science, (3) annual surveys/qualitative activities to understand different barriers and attitudes impacting access and sustained use to integrated CP and OUD service delivery, (4) develop important resources for key stakeholder audiences that can inform/improve sustainability and scalability of evidence-based practices.
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 U2C activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of CP 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. Grant authorities that allow NIDA to forecast this opportunity are as follows: 42 U.S.C. § 241 and § 284.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Hospital
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for research organizations and institutions studying the integrated management of chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, hospitals, and health systems with expertise in pain management, substance abuse treatment, or implementation science. The focus is on collaborative care models and implementation strategies to scale evidence-based integrated care across diverse health settings. Applicants should demonstrate capacity to engage health system leaders, clinicians, peer specialists, and payers in research implementation.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Research Plan/Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Facilities and Administrative Costs Information
- Letters of Support from Partner Organizations
- Qualifications documentation demonstrating implementation science expertise
Program contact
- 👤 Shelley Su, PhD
- 📧 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
When will applications be accepted?
This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). A formal funding opportunity will be published later. Applicants should begin developing collaborations now.
What types of research are supported?
Studies on integrated management of chronic pain and OUD, implementation strategies, hybrid implementation-effectiveness trials, and scalability/sustainability of evidence-based practices in health systems.
What expertise is encouraged?
Community-based participatory research, implementation science, health system integration, and collaborative care models are strongly encouraged.
Will my organization be eligible?
Research institutions, universities, health systems, and organizations with research capacity and expertise in pain management or OUD treatment are likely eligible. Formal eligibility requirements will be in the future NOFO.
What funding mechanism applies?
The U2C activity code will be used, which supports research centers and cooperative agreements. Specific award amounts will be detailed in the future NOFO.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Begin developing collaborative partnerships now with health systems, clinicians, and peer specialists before applications open. Early relationship-building strengthens competitiveness.
- Emphasize implementation science methods and scalability/sustainability plans. The grant prioritizes practical health system integration, not just efficacy research.
- Include expertise spanning both chronic pain and OUD management. Siloed or single-condition proposals are less competitive.
- Engage key stakeholders (health system leaders, payers, peer specialists) as partners or advisors. This demonstrates understanding of real-world implementation barriers.
- Design hybrid implementation-effectiveness trials that test both intervention effectiveness and implementation strategies simultaneously. This aligns with the grant's core focus.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research limited to a single condition (pain OR opioid use disorder) rather than integrated co-occurring management. Omitting health system partners or failing to engage key decision-makers in research design. Presenting solely efficacy data without implementation science rigor or scalability/sustainability planning.
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