The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with other NIH Institutes and Centers, intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the renewal of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, transitioning into its Adult-Adolescent phase. This effort continues the work of the ABCD Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child and adolescent health in the United States. The study initially recruited nearly 12,000 participants aged 9-10 and has followed them through to ages 19-20. The renewal aims to extend this study into their emerging adulthood, ages 26-27, to better understand how early experiences and biological development influence outcomes related to health, behavior, and cognitive development.
The anticipated NOFO will support a Data Analysis, Informatics and Resource Center, and a Coordinating Center under the U24 cooperative agreement mechanism. These centers will manage data operations, informatics infrastructure, and coordination across study sites, enabling the large-scale, longitudinal data collection and analysis needed to continue this influential research. Advanced methodologies including neuroimaging, wearable sensors, and behavioral assessments will be utilized to examine how various factors—such as physical activity, technology use, and other health behaviors—impact young adult development.
This funding opportunity falls under the Assistance Listing 93.279 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs. It is a discretionary grant and no cost sharing or matching is required. While the total program funding, award floor, and ceiling are not yet defined, the NOFO is forecasted for release on February 6, 2026, with an application due date of May 25, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced by April 1, 2027, which will also mark the project start date. The funding is set for the 2027 fiscal year.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited specifically to existing awardees under RFA-DA-20-004 and RFA-DA-20-003. Eligible applicant types include state governments, county governments, independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, private and public institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Although applications are not currently being accepted, this forecast provides potential applicants ample time to prepare by forming collaborations and designing responsive projects. For additional information, interested parties should contact Bethany Deeds, PhD at the National Institute on Drug Abuse by phone at 301-402-1935 or via email at deedsb@nida.nih.gov.
