Exploratory Clinical Neuroscience Research on Substance Use Disorders

The "Exploratory Clinical Neuroscience Research on Substance Use Disorders" grant opportunity, numbered PAR-26-093, is a forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This opportunity specifically originates from NIH's Division of Neuroscience and Behavior (DNB) within the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The initiative aligns with NIH’s broader mission of advancing biomedical research and specifically focuses on understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of substance use disorders (SUDs). The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support exploratory and developmental clinical research projects that aim to uncover fundamental brain functions and neurobiological mechanisms associated with substance use and addiction. Projects funded under this NOFO are expected to be innovative and developmental, addressing gaps in knowledge and advancing the field’s understanding of the complex biological and neurological interactions that drive substance use behaviors. The research scope is intentionally broad but must remain tightly focused on clinical neuroscience as it relates to SUDs. This opportunity employs the R61/R33 Phased Innovation Award mechanism, allowing grantees to initially conduct exploratory work under the R61 phase, with the potential to transition to the R33 phase for expanded research based on milestone achievement. It is particularly suitable for projects that exceed the budget limitations of the R21 mechanism, making it appealing for more complex or multi-faceted research studies. The mechanism is designed to reduce the risk in early-stage research while still offering a pathway to comprehensive investigation pending initial success. As of the forecast date (March 16, 2026), this opportunity is expected to be officially posted by June 1, 2026. The anticipated application due date is July 10, 2026, giving potential applicants a window of over a month to prepare their submissions. Awards are expected to be announced by April 1, 2027, with project start dates aligned with the same day. Based on these indicators, the grant will support work planned for fiscal year 2026. While the estimated number of awards is six, no definitive data has been provided for the total program funding or per-award financial limits, which will likely be disclosed in the full announcement. Eligibility for this grant is broad and inclusive, spanning a wide range of organizational types. Applicants may include nonprofit and for-profit institutions, higher education institutions (both public and private), tribal organizations and governments (both federally recognized and not), as well as city, county, and state governments. Additionally, U.S. territories, regional and faith-based organizations, independent school districts, and even foreign entities are eligible to apply, indicating a global scope and inclusive intent. Applications will likely be submitted via Grants.gov once the official NOFO is released, and interested parties are encouraged to monitor the listing closely for further instructions and application components. While pre-application requirements such as letters of intent are not specified in the forecast, these details may be included in the full solicitation. The grant does not require cost sharing or matching funds, making it financially accessible for a range of applicants. All inquiries about this opportunity can be directed to the NIH Division of Neuroscience and Behavior at the provided email address, [email protected].