International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01, Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 568

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 568

The International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01, Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (PA 18-568) is a National Institutes of Health grant program run through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that supports investigator-initiated research projects using the NIH R01 mechanism. The main goal is to fund high-quality, collaborative studies on drug abuse and addiction that specifically benefit from doing part or all of the work outside the United States. In practice, NIDA is looking for projects where the international setting is not just a convenience, but a scientific advantage because it provides access to unique expertise, specialized infrastructure or datasets, distinctive environmental or policy conditions, or populations that cannot be readily studied in the U.S. and that could accelerate progress in addiction science.

A central theme of this announcement is genuine international collaboration. The research should be designed so that partnerships with non-U.S. investigators, institutions, or research sites meaningfully strengthen the science. Examples of the kinds of international "special opportunities" the FOA highlights include unusual talent or methodological strengths available in another country, access to rare or hard-to-reach populations, the ability to study drug use and treatment in different cultural contexts, or the ability to evaluate how differing laws and public health systems shape substance use patterns and outcomes. The expectation is that the international component creates clear added value and that findings will advance knowledge relevant to NIDA’s mission, such as prevention, etiology, treatment, services, and public health impacts of substance use and addiction.

The FOA also encourages applicants, when feasible, to align proposals with NIDA’s international scientific priority areas, which are updated over time. The notice cites example priorities (noting they may change year to year), including research on the linkages between HIV/AIDS and drug abuse (for example, how substance use influences HIV risk behaviors, prevention uptake, or treatment outcomes), studies on the initiation, prevention, and treatment of nicotine and tobacco use with special attention to vulnerable groups (such as children, adolescents, pregnant people, and individuals with co-morbid mental or medical disorders), and research on the neuroscience of marijuana and cannabinoids. Another highlighted topic is the study of changing marijuana laws and policies and how those shifts affect patterns of use, health outcomes, and broader social impacts, which is particularly well-suited to international comparisons because policy environments vary widely across countries.

This is an R01 grant, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven or well-justified programmatic research projects that can support a multi-year line of work. The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means applicants may propose either clinical trial research or non-clinical trial research, as long as the project fits the FOA and NIH/NIDA requirements for the type of study proposed. Applicants considering clinical trials would typically need to be prepared for the additional oversight, registration, and data and safety expectations that come with NIH-funded trials.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as "other" entities. The FOA also explicitly notes eligibility for a range of mission-aligned institutions and communities, 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), and tribal governments and organizations (including some categories beyond federally recognized tribal governments). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations are also included, underscoring the program’s intent to support cross-border partnerships and research capacity where it is scientifically justified.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under the NIH, with a CFDA listing of 93.279. The source record shows an original closing date of 2018-05-07 and a creation date of 2018-01-09. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided excerpt, which typically means budgets and award counts depend on the proposed scope, available appropriations, and NIH peer review outcomes for the application cycle.

Overall, the grant is best understood as an R01 pathway for addiction researchers who can make a strong case that an international setting or partnership is essential to the question being asked, and that the resulting knowledge will directly contribute to NIDA’s priorities in understanding, preventing, and treating drug abuse and addiction, including related public health challenges such as HIV and the evolving landscape of nicotine and cannabis use and policy.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01, 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 2018-01-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-05-07. (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.

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