Federal Health Grants

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will support projects proposing mechanistic studies that will transform our understanding of polysubstance use in addiction. These hypothesis-based, exploratory projects may investigate mechanisms of polysubstance use at the behavioral, cognitive, cellular, circuit, genetic, epigenetic, pharmacological and/or computational levels. Research on substance use disorders (SUDs) has primarily focused on individual substances although polysubstance use is prevalent. Polysubstance use is the use of more than one addictive substance within a defined interval; the use may be sequential (use of multiple substances on separate occasions), or concurrent/simultaneous. Limiting studies to an individual addictive substance overlooks potential interactions between substances and could influence the translational potential of preclinical research findings. Results from several studies have demonstrated that the use of multiple addictive substances produces pharmacokinetic and behavioral profiles that are distinct from those produced by a single substance. Despite this recognition, little is known about the precise pharmacological mechanisms and interactions that may contribute to such outcomes, or co-morbidities resulting from co-use. There is also a significant lack in our understanding of how the activity of discrete cells, genes, circuits, expression of receptors, ion channels, intrinsic excitability or signaling mechanisms in the reward systems synergize when exposed to distinct classes of drugs simultaneously or sequentially. Even less is known about these mechanisms in brain regions and circuits that underlie negative reinforcement, or how neurotransmitters, neuromodulators or stress interact within these circuits to contribute to the behavioral and pharmacological profiles observed following polysubstance use. In addition, there is a need for behavioral models of polysubstance use that have translational potential. Research Objectives: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks to stimulate innovative research that will transform our understanding of the basic mechanisms that underlie polysubstance use in addiction. These studies will investigate novel neurobiological, pharmacological and/or behavioral mechanisms underlying the biobehavioral outcomes of polysubstance use. Research areas and questions of programmatic interest include, but are not limited to: Identification and/or characterization of molecules, genes, cells (including non-neuronal cells), neural pathways, circuits, receptors, ion channels, intrinsic excitability, pharmacological and signaling mechanisms mediating the effects of polysubstance use. Mechanisms underlying the association of early adolescent polysubstance use with SUD’s in adulthood. Sex differences in the development and trajectory of polysubstance use. What are the roles of organizational and activational effects of sex steroids on discrete brain regions and neural circuits, and how is this altered with exposure to polysubstance use? What are the developmental determinants? Are there developmental windows during which polysubstance use would be facilitated? What are the pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions that can impact toxicity, or the SUD trajectory? How do environmental factors interact with brain circuits to influence the development and trajectory of SUDs involving polysubstance use? How does stress interact with brain circuits to influence the development and trajectory of SUDs involving polysubstance use? Are there neurobehavioral risk phenotypes for progression to polysubstance use? What are the neurocognitive and neurobehavioral changes that occur through experience with different patterns of polysubstance use? Applications Not Responsive to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) The following types of studies are not responsive to this NOFO and will not be reviewed: The major goal of the project is not targeted at delineating the basic mechanisms underlying polysubstance use in addiction. Projects limited exclusively to the phenomenology of polysubstance use, consequences of polysubstance use, or those focused exclusively on the development of tools or animal models. Projects that do not focus on combinations of two or more addictive substances with well-justified translational and public health relevance. Projects that do not include a psychostimulant, opioid, or cannabinoid in the polysubstance combination. Alcohol may be included in the polysubstance combination. Research that does not pertain to at least one of the stages of the substance use trajectory, including, but not limited to initiation, escalation, withdrawal and/or relapse. Other application considerations: Collaborative research teams to foster the sharing of conceptual and/or technical expertise are strongly encouraged. Applicants using animal models are encouraged to use models reflective of chronic and voluntary drug intake. Preliminary data are not required but may be included if available. In the absence of preliminary data, a strong premise should be provided for testing a novel hypothesis based upon the scientific literature as well as evidence of the team’s ability to carry out the proposed studies through published or technical preliminary data.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative research on the long-term effects of adolescent alcohol use on brain function and behavior, inviting diverse institutions and organizations to participate in advancing treatment and prevention strategies for alcohol use disorders.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has played a crucial role in providing an alternative bioequivalence (BE) approach for generic orally inhaled drug products (OIDPs), in addition to comparative clinical endpoint or pharmacodynamic BE studies, as a relatively cost- and time-efficient complement to benchtop and clinical experiments that has been widely used in developing and assessing generic inhaler devices. However, despite the advances in the power of modern computers, there are still some bottlenecks in using CFD due to computational time, limited grid resolution, pre- and post-processing of large simulation data sets, model parameter estimations, and uncertainty quantifications. Machine learning (ML) has been gaining more attention as a potential tool to alleviate such limitations that arise in CFD. The purpose of this grant is to develop a methodology to integrate ML with CFD models of OIDPs to promote alternative BE studies to enhance and accelerate the development and approval of generic OIDPs.

This funding opportunity supports early-stage researchers in cancer control and population sciences to explore innovative ideas that can significantly advance cancer research and improve healthcare delivery.

This funding opportunity supports researchers conducting basic science studies to explore how sleep and circadian rhythms are connected to substance use disorders, aiming to improve understanding and treatment of these issues.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based small businesses in developing innovative, non-addictive therapies and technologies for improved pain management, addressing the opioid crisis through preclinical research and technological advancements.

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) intends to reissue the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program hubs that will be part of a national, collaborative consortium focused on bringing more treatments to more patients more quickly through advancing clinical and translational science (CTS). This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in January 2025. This NOFO will utilize the UM1 activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

This grant provides funding for researchers to explore the complex interactions between the brain and immune system in the context of HIV and substance use disorders, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets and improve understanding of related neurological issues.

Reissue of RFA-MH-20-128 This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications to develop standards that describe experimental protocols that are being conducted as part of the BRAIN Initiative. It is expected that applications will solicit community input at all stages of the process. It is recommended that the first step of standard development will involve sharing data between different key groups in the experimental community in order to ensure that the developing standard will cover the way that all of those groups are collecting data. The developed standard is expected to be made widely available.

This funding opportunity supports the development of innovative therapies to counteract the effects of Botulinum Neurotoxin, targeting researchers and organizations focused on advancing treatments for this serious health threat.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations working in Namibia to improve health information systems and enhance public health programs related to HIV, tuberculosis, and other health threats.

This funding opportunity supports early postdoctoral fellows from diverse backgrounds in cancer research, providing mentorship and training to help them address health disparities and advance their careers in the field.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research and interventions that reduce HIV risk among individuals affected by alcohol use, focusing on innovative prevention strategies and their implementation in various communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to health center networks to improve their use of health information technology and data management systems, enhancing access to quality primary healthcare for underserved communities.

The purpose of the Maternal and Child Health Policy Innovation Program (MCH PIP) is to support innovative city, county, or state-level policy initiatives that improve outcomes and reduce associated health disparities for maternal and child health populations. Successful award recipients will provide technical assistance (TA) to stakeholders4, including governors offices, state legislatures, state and local health officials, and other state and local officials5 to help them develop and implement policy initiatives that improve outcomes and reduce related health disparities. Technical assistance will include (1) convening learning communities (LCs) that engage stakeholders (listed above) in addition to community members and people with lived experience and (2) developing and disseminating informational resources such as (but not limited to) policy briefs, webinars, and/or legislation trackers. Technical assistance for policy initiatives that address social determinants of health6 (SDOH), such as improving access to quality affordable housing, healthy foods, or transportation, is especially encouraged. Award recipients will also support TA for cities, counties, and/or states on Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) priority topics such as maternal and infant mortality and readiness for obstetric emergencies, and emerging MCH issues (recent examples of which include congenital syphilis, environmental health threats, Medicaid redetermination, and vaccine promotion).

This(NOFO) aims to innovate, implement, and evaluate approaches to One Health laboratory diagnostic network optimization and specimen transport in Liberia. This multi-component NOFO is designed to address the inter-dependence of a comprehensive, resource-mapped, accredited national and sub-national laboratory network, the physical transportation architecture required to transfer network commodities (namely human, animal, and environmental specimens) point-to-point, and the optimization of digital communication, information, and supply chain systems necessary to sustain the network itself.

Reissue PAR-21-122. This NOFO provides funding to conduct pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and in vivo efficacy studies to demonstrate that proposed therapeutic agent(s) have sufficient biological activity to warrant further development to treat neurological or neuromuscular disorders that fall under the NINDS mission. Therapeutic agents include small molecules, biologics or biotechnology-derived products. This FOA is part of a suite of Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE) to advance projects to the point where they can meet the entry criteria for the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network or other translational programs.

The United States Agency for International Development Mission in Indonesia (USAID/Indonesia) posts this Request for Information (RFI) to inform interested parties of an upcoming health system strengthening (HSS) activity designed to improve accountability, health system performance and health outcomes (especially for Maternal and Child Health, Tuberculosis, HIV, and Global Health Security) based on performance-based and sustainable health financing, a strengthened health information system, resilient human resources for health, integrated care models, and a strong evidence to policy pathway.This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information gathering purposes and is published in accordance with FAR Part 10 and FAR Part 15.201(e).Through this RFI, USAID/Indonesia seeks to enhance the design of the HSS Flagship Activity in Indonesia. This RFI seeks information from capable organizations (i.e., nongovernmental organizations, universities, consortium, for-profit, and local organizations) that are implementing or have implemented HSS projects that spans more than one health system building block and may be interested to partner with USAID in achieving the goals of this future HSS activity. All capable organizations are encouraged to respond.This RFI does not constitute a Request for Applications (RFA) or a Request for Proposals(RFP). Responses to this RFI are not applications or official proposals and will in no way be deemed to form any binding agreement with the RFI issuing authority. Please do not submit applications, proposals, budget, costs, resumes or promotional materials, as they will be discarded. Proprietary information should not be sent. USAID may use any information provided without incurring any obligation. USAID reserves the right to, or not to incorporate any, some, or none of the comments received from this RFI into any subsequent solicitations or design documents.(See further information in Related Documents Tab)

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations in developing innovative technologies to identify and target senescent cells, which could lead to new treatments for age-related diseases.

This funding opportunity supports researchers exploring the use of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, to develop innovative methods for cancer imaging, diagnosis, and treatment.