NIDA Program Project Grant Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 201

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 201

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering support through the Program Project Grant mechanism (P01) under funding opportunity PAR-22-201, titled "NIDA Program Project Grant Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)." This opportunity is designed for collaborative, multidisciplinary research teams proposing a coordinated set of studies that align with NIDA priorities and advance NIDA's mission. The core idea is to fund an integrated research program where the combined work produces stronger, more impactful science than the same studies would achieve if submitted and funded as separate, independent grants.

A defining feature of this FOA is its emphasis on synergy. Applicants are expected to propose a program made up of at least three highly meritorious research projects that are scientifically linked. NIDA is looking for clear evidence that the projects mutually strengthen one another through shared concepts, complementary methods, shared infrastructure, or coordinated aims, so that the overall program generates outcomes that are more than the sum of its parts. In practical terms, the application should make a convincing case that each component project benefits from being embedded in the larger program, and that the program has an overarching, unifying scientific theme focused on issues that are critical to NIDA.

The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means that the proposed program may include clinical trials, but it does not have to. Applicants can propose clinical trial research if it is appropriate for the scientific questions being addressed, or they can focus on non-trial research approaches. What matters most is that the projects collectively address high-priority topics for NIDA and that the integrated structure creates measurable scientific advantages, such as faster progress, stronger mechanistic understanding, better translation from basic to applied work, or more robust evaluation through multiple complementary approaches.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also allows nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses, as well as other eligible entities. In addition, the FOA highlights eligibility for certain institution types and community-based entities, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is more limited. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the main applicant organization. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components are allowed as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This structure permits international collaboration when it adds scientific value, while keeping the primary applicant and award administration within eligible U.S.-based organizations.

The opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and is associated with the Health and Education funding activity area. The CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number provided is 93.279. The FOA was created on June 28, 2022, and the original closing date listed is May 7, 2023. The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH guidance for budget expectations, project period limits, and any NIDA-specific funding considerations tied to this announcement.

Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at well-coordinated research programs where a team can demonstrate that at least three interdependent projects, organized around a shared scientific vision, will collectively move the field forward in ways that isolated projects cannot. The strongest applications will usually be those that clearly articulate the program-level goals, show tight scientific integration across projects, and explain exactly how the program structure will produce unique, synergistic advances aligned with NIDA priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Program Project Grant Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-06-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 22 201

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: