Molecular, Neural, and Cognitive Mechanisms of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Treat Substance Use Disorders

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and specifically the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has announced a forecasted funding opportunity entitled Molecular, Neural, and Cognitive Mechanisms of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Treat Substance Use Disorders. This opportunity, listed under assistance listing 93.279 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs, is designed to encourage basic research into the mechanisms underlying non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) as a treatment approach for substance use disorders (SUDs). While NIBS techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and transcranial focused ultrasound have emerged as promising interventions for addiction treatment, their precise mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. NIDA intends to use this funding initiative to address these gaps in scientific knowledge. The purpose of this program is to support research projects that examine the biological, cognitive, and behavioral impacts of non-invasive brain stimulation. Specifically, the funding will prioritize research that elucidates molecular, cellular, and circuit-level changes induced by these techniques. In addition, it will support investigations into the molecular mechanisms and pathways by which stimulation protocols produce therapeutic effects in substance use disorders. A further objective is to identify new clinical targets for NIBS treatment, as well as to characterize neurobiological and cognitive responses that may precede clinical improvements. Collectively, these projects are intended to provide a foundation for improving and refining non-invasive neuromodulation strategies for addiction treatment. The total program funding is estimated at three million dollars, with approximately four awards expected to be issued. The award ceiling and floor amounts have not yet been specified. This program does not require cost sharing or matching. As this is currently a forecasted opportunity, applications are not being accepted at this time, but the anticipated timeline includes a posting date of March 5, 2026, with an estimated application due date of June 5, 2026. Award notices are expected to be issued in April 2027, with funded projects beginning in April 2027. These dates provide potential applicants ample time to develop collaborations, prepare responsive proposals, and align research strategies with the program’s objectives. Eligibility for this funding is broad, reflecting the wide range of expertise required to advance understanding of brain stimulation techniques. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, state and local governments, county governments, city and township governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations of all sizes, and small businesses. This wide eligibility scope is intended to attract diverse applicants who can contribute insights from neuroscience, behavioral health, clinical research, and technology development. The submission process will follow the standard NIH and Grants.gov procedures once the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is published. At present, the notice serves as a forecast to enable prospective applicants to prepare in advance. No pre-application deadlines, such as letters of intent, are specified in this forecast. Similarly, no details regarding review criteria, scoring priorities, or application components have been published at this stage. Such details are expected to be outlined in the final NOFO once it is officially released. For further information, interested parties may contact the designated program officer, Subramaniam Ananthan, Ph.D., at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. He can be reached at 301-435-2199 or via email at sam.ananthan@nih.gov. Applicants are encouraged to reach out with questions regarding scientific scope, program fit, or collaboration considerations. Because this is a forecasted opportunity, applicants should monitor Grants.gov and NIH communications for the official release and detailed guidance. This forecast indicates NIH’s ongoing investment in innovative treatments for substance use disorders and signals the agency’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research in the neuroscience of addiction.