Mechanistic Research on Neuromodulation for Substance Use Disorders Treatment (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The funding opportunity "Mechanistic Research on Neuromodulation for Substance Use Disorders Treatment (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). This grant supports basic experimental studies involving human participants (BESH) that aim to uncover new non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) targets relevant to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and to characterize neurobiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses that may precede traditional clinical outcomes such as reduced substance use or cravings. The main objective of this grant is to deepen scientific understanding of the mechanistic foundations of SUD through human studies that apply experimental interventions not intended to alter health status but rather to enhance knowledge of underlying phenomena. This includes research using tools like transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct or alternating current stimulation. Studies should focus on identifying novel NIBS targets, elucidating their influence on broader brain networks, and characterizing SUD-relevant responses prior to clinical symptom changes. The grant offers an R01 activity code and is designed for new applications and resubmissions. The funding mechanism encourages high scientific rigor, innovation, and methodological soundness. NIDA plans to allocate $1.5 million across fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 to support approximately six awards, including related funding opportunities. Although there is no set budget cap, applications should align their budgets with the scope of the proposed research. The maximum duration for any project is five years. Eligibility is broad, encompassing higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, small businesses, for-profit entities, government bodies at all levels, public housing authorities, tribal governments and organizations, and international institutions. Applicants must complete several registrations, including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, and obtain necessary identifiers like UEI and CAGE/NCAGE codes. Applications must be submitted through NIH's ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional S2S solution. Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent 30 days before the application due date. Application cycles close on January 16 and August 14 annually through 2026. The next application due date is August 14, 2025. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant’s organization. The funding opportunity expires on May 24, 2025. Review of applications will follow NIH’s rigorous peer-review process, evaluating overall impact, significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, research approach, and environment. Specific attention will be paid to study design, ethical considerations, data management, and statistical analysis. Applicants should include annual milestones and data sharing plans. Detailed contacts are provided for submission support, scientific inquiries, peer review questions, and financial management.