HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), in partnership with various institutes such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Aging (NIA), and others, announces the funding opportunity titled HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional). This funding opportunity aims to support action-oriented research that accelerates the implementation of research findings into real-world settings to address the overdose crisis, particularly through stigma-free, patient-centered systems of care. Projects should focus on scalable and sustainable approaches for moving evidence-based treatments into practice, advancing long-term recovery for individuals experiencing addiction. The notice solicits phased awards through the R61/R33 Exploratory/Developmental mechanism. The R61 phase, lasting up to two years, will support preparatory work such as collecting pilot data, engaging stakeholders, or building necessary infrastructure. Upon successful completion of defined milestones, projects may transition into the R33 phase, which can last up to five years and supports larger-scale studies. Projects must address opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, or recovery support, excluding primary prevention or opioid prescribing interventions. High-priority areas include provider, organizational, or system-level strategies that enhance the uptake of evidence-based practices, novel service delivery models, and approaches to address health inequities and disparities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit small businesses, government entities, and tribal organizations. Non-domestic entities are not eligible to apply. Applications must reflect stakeholder engagement, consider health disparities, and propose feasible milestones for the R61 phase and a clear transition to the R33 phase. Projects may be implemented in various settings, including healthcare, criminal justice, and community-based services. Applicants are required to submit a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), detailing strategies to advance inclusivity and ensure that diverse perspectives contribute to the project’s success. This plan will be a key part of the application review process. Additional required documents include a Timeline and Milestone Plan and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Applications must demonstrate a clear path toward sustainability and scalability of proposed interventions. NIH expects to commit up to $10 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund up to 12 awards across this opportunity and its companion announcement RFA-DA-25-077. While application budgets are not capped, the recommendation is to limit requests to $300,000 in direct costs per year for the R61 phase and $750,000 per year for the R33 phase. The combined project period for the R61 and R33 phases cannot exceed six years. Applications are due by March 20, 2025, with an earliest project start date of December 2025. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to consult NIH program staff early in the process. Submissions must be completed electronically through Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system, following all requirements outlined in the NIH Application Guide. For additional information, applicants can contact the listed program officials at NIDA, NIA, NIMH, and other participating NIH institutes.