Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial and/or Ethnic Populations (R34)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a notice of intent to publish a funding opportunity titled “NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial and/or Ethnic Populations.” This opportunity is currently a forecast and is expected to be released in summer 2025. The initiative is part of NIDA’s continuing efforts to advance health equity, specifically at the intersection of HIV and substance use, by addressing the health disparities that disproportionately impact underserved racial and/or ethnic populations. The primary objective of this forecasted funding opportunity is to solicit research applications that develop novel strategies or interventions targeting the complex challenges associated with HIV-related health disparities in populations disproportionately affected by substance use. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the NIH to support scientific projects that can lead to scalable and effective health solutions. This particular funding will be made available through the R34 grant mechanism, which is typically used for planning, developing, or pilot studies, providing an opportunity to generate preliminary data that could inform future, larger-scale research efforts. The anticipated total funding for this initiative is $2,000,000, although no specific ceiling or floor amounts for individual awards have yet been disclosed. The expected number of awards has also not been specified. There is no matching or cost-sharing requirement for applicants, making this an accessible opportunity for a wide range of eligible entities. The grant is classified under the CFDA number 93.279, pertaining to Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs, and falls within the “Health” category of funding activity. Entities eligible to apply include small businesses, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), Native American tribal organizations and governments, state and county governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as both public and private institutions of higher education. This broad eligibility is intended to ensure inclusive participation from a range of sectors and disciplines that can contribute to impactful health disparity interventions. The estimated timeline for this funding opportunity is as follows: the notice of funding opportunity is expected to be published on June 2, 2025, with an application due date anticipated on December 15, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by July 1, 2026, and projects should begin on or around the same date. The opportunity is not currently open for applications, but it is forecasted and intended for early engagement. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin forming collaborations and conceptualizing projects in advance of the official NOFO release. For questions or further information, applicants may contact the NIH OPERA DGSI Systems Policy Branch at operasystemspolicy@nih.gov. As this is a forecasted opportunity, updates may follow upon official publication, and prospective applicants are encouraged to monitor the Grants.gov listing under Opportunity Number NOT-DA-24-051 for the most current information.