Avenir Program: Fundamental Mechanistic Research in Addiction Science
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 12, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-stage investigators (ESIs) launching innovative addiction science research. Applicants must be NIH-defined ESIs who may lack extensive preliminary data but show strong leadership potential. The program supports mechanistic research on substance use disorders across genetic, molecular, cellular, behavioral, and cognitive approaches. Novel, high-risk interdisciplinary projects and wet-lab or data science approaches are encouraged.
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Key dates
- Sep 10, 2026 Applications open
- May 26, 2027 Application deadline in 255 days
- Apr 1, 2028 Award announced
- Apr 1, 2028 Project start
Program description
Avenir, the French word for “future,” reflects NIDA’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in addiction science. Since 2015, the Avenir Program has supported exceptionally creative early stage investigators (ESIs) in launching innovative research programs. NIDA is now expanding this program to support bold mechanistic research across a broader range of addiction science, including genetic, epigenetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, chemical, pharmacological, behavioral, and cognitive processes relevant to Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).
This initiative is intended to catalyze high-risk, high-reward research and attract outstanding new investigators, including those from outside the addiction field. Applications proposing novel, unconventional, or interdisciplinary wet-lab and/or data science approaches to advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying SUDs are encouraged. The Avenir Program is designed for ESIs who may lack the preliminary data needed for an R01 application but propose high-impact research and show strong potential to become future leaders in fundamental mechanistic addiction science.
Grant authorities that allow NIDA to forecast this opportunity are 42 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 284.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative
- Biographical Sketch (current format)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- NIH Explanation of Differences (if resubmission)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA
- 📧 NIDA_GED_Program@nida.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
-
$973,507,476
-
$204,359,786
-
$128,078,833
-
$126,585,435
-
$99,478,296
-
$79,333,238
-
$78,245,057
-
$74,806,844
-
$71,588,047
-
$61,572,673
Top States by Funding
- CA 5 awards $1,115.4M
- NY 4 awards $260.8M
- WA 1 awards $204.4M
- CT 2 awards $155.8M
- MD 2 awards $128.2M
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 counts as an early-stage investigator (ESI)?
ESIs are typically defined by NIH as researchers within 10 years of their first independent research position. Check NIH's current ESI definition on their website.
Can I apply if I'm from outside the addiction field?
Yes. NIDA explicitly encourages outstanding researchers from other disciplines to apply with interdisciplinary approaches.
What types of research does NIDA support under this program?
Mechanistic research on SUDs including genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, behavioral, and cognitive processes. High-risk, novel approaches are prioritized.
How much funding can I request?
Awards are approximately $375,000. Budget should reflect the scope of your proposed research and project timeline.
Do I need preliminary data to be competitive?
Not necessarily. The program supports ESIs who may lack extensive preliminary data but propose high-impact research with strong potential.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on mechanistic innovation. Emphasize novel or unconventional approaches to understanding SUD biology and behavior.
- Address the "high-risk, high-reward" nature explicitly. Explain why conventional approaches fall short and why your bold idea matters.
- Highlight leadership potential. Show your trajectory toward becoming a future leader in addiction science beyond just the proposed project.
- Use preliminary data strategically. Even limited data showing proof-of-concept can strengthen your argument for funding novel work.
- Craft a compelling specific aims section. Make your research vision clear and ambitious within the project scope.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack novelty or appear incremental rather than high-risk. Proposals with insufficient mechanistic focus or too much focus on clinical outcomes instead of underlying mechanisms. Weak demonstration of investigator's potential to become a future leader in addiction science.
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