The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award in Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder Research. This opportunity, utilizing the K12 grant activity code, will fund institutional research career development programs designed to support the career trajectories of clinician scientists by providing them with rigorous, mentored research training experiences that lead toward research independence in the field of substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) research.
This initiative targets institutions seeking to establish structured programs that can train Scholars in NIDA-relevant areas of science. These include neuroimaging, genetics, medication and treatment development, cognitive processes, neuroimmune signaling, population neuroscience, epidemiology, implementation science, and understanding the biological mechanisms and consequences of substance use across the lifespan. Collaborative research in overlapping areas such as HIV, pain, and SUDs is also encouraged. The overarching objective is to equip early-career clinician scientists with the tools, experience, and mentorship required to become independent investigators in the addiction sciences.
The K12 program does not allow for individual applications from Scholars; instead, institutions apply for funding to manage a career development program, and then select eligible clinicians to participate as Scholars. This makes it a vital pipeline for cultivating research independence and advancing public health research in substance use and addiction science. Although the full application package has not yet been released, this forecasted notice provides potential applicant institutions with advance time to organize interdisciplinary collaborations and formulate competitive proposals.
The estimated post date for this funding opportunity is July 3, 2025, with applications due by August 5, 2025. The anticipated award and project start date is April 1, 2026. There are no requirements for cost sharing or matching. Specific figures for award ceilings, floors, and total program funding are not currently available.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to certain institutional categories. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments and organizations (both federally recognized and others), and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, excluding higher education institutions. Entities interested in applying should begin early preparation to design responsive, well-structured career development programs aligned with NIDA’s priorities.
For further information, interested institutions should contact Dr. Lindsey Friend at the NIDA Office of Research Training and Career Development via phone at 301-402-1428 or by email at NIDA_Training@nida.nih.gov.
