Avant Garde award for Investigators conducting high risk/high reward research on HIV and Substance Use (or Substance Use Disorders)

The Avant Garde Award for Investigators conducting high-risk and high-reward research on HIV and Substance Use or Substance Use Disorders is an upcoming funding initiative by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant opportunity, identified by the number FOR-DA-27-003, is classified under discretionary funding and will utilize the DP1 activity code. This grant supports groundbreaking research that targets significant challenges in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, specifically focusing on the intersection of HIV and substance use or substance use disorders. The objective of this grant is to foster pioneering research by exceptionally creative scientists proposing transformative and potentially paradigm-shifting approaches. The Avant-Garde Award is especially notable for welcoming innovative, high-risk ideas that may not yet have a traditional funding path. The program also intends to support Early Stage Investigators (ESI), encouraging fresh perspectives in tackling complex public health issues. At this forecast stage, applications are not yet being accepted. The estimated post date for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is March 9, 2026, with an anticipated application due date of August 15, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced on April 1, 2027, which is also the projected start date for funded projects. The notice aims to give potential applicants ample time to form meaningful collaborations and develop responsive proposals. Eligibility for this grant includes a broad spectrum of organizations, encompassing public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private higher education institutions, small businesses, for-profit entities other than small businesses, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and various government units at the state, county, and tribal levels. Both federally recognized and other Native American tribal organizations are eligible. Public housing authorities, Indian housing authorities, and independent school districts are also among the qualified applicant types. Although the specific award ceiling, award floor, and total funding amount have not yet been disclosed, it has been confirmed that cost-sharing or matching funds are not required. The award falls under the Assistance Listing Number 93.279, which pertains to Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs. Interested parties are encouraged to prepare by exploring potential research directions and establishing collaborations. For more details or inquiries about the grant, the designated contact is Vasundhara Varthakavi, DVM, Ph.D., who can be reached at 301-443-2146 or via email at vasundhara.varthakavi@nih.gov.