NIDA Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has announced a forecasted funding opportunity titled the NIDA Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research. This program is designed as an institutional career development mechanism using the K12 activity code. It aims to support organizations in developing structured programs that provide intensive, supervised research training and career development for clinician scientists. The overarching goal is to prepare these scholars to achieve independent research careers focused on substance use and substance use disorder. The purpose of this program is to strengthen the national workforce of clinician researchers addressing substance use and addiction by fostering multidisciplinary and collaborative training environments. The funding supports research areas aligned with NIDA’s scientific priorities, including neuroimaging, genetics, medication and treatment development, prevention strategies, neuroimmune signaling, and epidemiology. Additional emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly across substance use disorders, pain research, and HIV-related studies. The program encourages innovative approaches that examine the biological, behavioral, and societal impacts of substance use across the lifespan. Funding under this opportunity is expected to support institutional programs rather than individual applicants directly, meaning eligible organizations will design and administer training programs for selected scholars. While specific funding amounts, award ceilings, and total program funding have not yet been disclosed in the forecast, the structure typically supports multiple scholars through mentored research experiences, salary support, and career development activities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, reducing financial barriers for applicant institutions. Eligibility is limited to a defined set of organizational entities, including nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), public and private institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal governments and organizations. These entities must demonstrate the capacity to administer a comprehensive career development program, including mentorship infrastructure, research resources, and administrative oversight. The program is national in scope, allowing eligible organizations across the United States to apply. The application process is currently not open, as this is a forecasted opportunity intended to provide advance notice to potential applicants. The estimated posting date is October 1, 2025, with an anticipated application due date of November 13, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing by establishing collaborations, designing program structures, and aligning research focus areas with NIDA priorities. Once released, the full Notice of Funding Opportunity will provide detailed submission instructions, required components, and evaluation criteria. Applications will likely be evaluated based on the strength of the proposed training program, the quality of mentorship, institutional commitment, and alignment with NIDA’s research priorities. Additional criteria may include the feasibility of the program design, the qualifications of faculty mentors, and the potential for scholars to achieve research independence. The estimated award date and project start date are both July 1, 2026, indicating a structured timeline from application submission to program initiation. For further information, applicants may contact Lindsey Friend at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of Research Training and Career Development, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 301-402-1428. As this is a recurring NIH funding mechanism, similar opportunities may be released annually or periodically, and applicants should monitor updates and future NOFO releases for continued engagement.

Begin early collaboration development and align proposed research areas with NIDA priorities such as neuroimaging, genetics, and prevention strategies