Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 021
The Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR 23-021, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant run through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It is designed to invest in the "future" of the field by backing early stage investigators who are proposing bold, highly innovative research focused on the genetics or epigenetics of substance use disorders. The central idea is to give promising newer investigators room to pursue high-impact, potentially field-shaping projects even if they do not yet have the kind of extensive preliminary data that is often expected for an R01. The program is explicitly positioned as a way to identify and accelerate researchers who are likely to become tomorrow's leaders in addiction genetics and epigenetics.
Scientifically, the opportunity targets studies that use genetic and/or epigenetic approaches to better understand substance use disorders. While the notice highlights genetics and epigenetics rather than listing specific research topics, the intent is to encourage transformative work that can clarify biological mechanisms, risk and resilience factors, and pathways that contribute to addiction and related outcomes. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the research aims, but a clinical trial is not required. This provides flexibility for applicants whose innovative ideas may be basic, translational, computational, population-based, or clinically oriented, as long as the proposed work fits within the genetics/epigenetics scope and is positioned to meaningfully move the field forward.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
There are important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may be able to include certain international elements in the project when permitted under NIH rules and when appropriately justified and documented.
Administrative details from the posting indicate this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the education and health activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.279. The opportunity was created on 2022-10-21 and lists an original closing date of 2025-09-25. The posted award ceiling is $300,000. The notice does not provide an expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, suggesting applicants should consult the full funding announcement for any updates on award numbers, project period expectations, budget structure specifics, and the review criteria that will be used to judge "highly innovative" and "high impact" proposals for early stage investigators.Apply for PAR 23 021
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 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 2022-10-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR 23-021. It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant administered through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
What is the main purpose of the Avenir Award Program?
The program is designed to invest in the future of the field by supporting early stage investigators proposing bold, highly innovative research in the genetics or epigenetics of substance use disorders. A key goal is to give promising newer investigators the room to pursue potentially field-shaping projects, including projects that may not yet have extensive preliminary data of the type often expected for an R01.
Who is the target applicant (investigator) profile?
The program specifically emphasizes early stage investigators who are positioned to become future leaders in addiction genetics and epigenetics, and who are proposing transformative, high-impact research.
What scientific areas does the grant focus on?
The scientific focus is on research that uses genetic and/or epigenetic approaches to better understand substance use disorders. The intent is to encourage transformative work that can clarify biological mechanisms, risk and resilience factors, and pathways that contribute to addiction and related outcomes.
Does my project need to be strictly genetics OR strictly epigenetics?
The opportunity targets studies using genetic and/or epigenetic approaches. Based on the description provided, projects may be genetics-focused, epigenetics-focused, or combine both, as long as they fit within the genetics/epigenetics scope and aim to meaningfully move the field forward.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The funding opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means a clinical trial may be proposed if it fits the research aims, but a clinical trial is not required.
If clinical trials are optional, what kinds of study approaches seem compatible?
The description indicates flexibility for innovative ideas that may be basic, translational, computational, population-based, or clinically oriented, as long as the project fits within the genetics/epigenetics scope and is positioned to move the field forward.
What makes this award different from an R01-style expectation?
The central idea is to support bold, highly innovative projects by early stage investigators, including projects that may not yet have the extensive preliminary data often expected for an R01. The program is positioned to accelerate promising investigators and enable high-impact work that could shape the field.
Which agency and institute run this program?
It is an NIH grant opportunity run through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Are specific institution types explicitly encouraged or called out as eligible?
Yes. The announcement calls out additional eligible applicant categories including:
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic-serving institutions
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories or possessions
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Can a U.S. organization with non-U.S. components apply?
Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, the notice also states that "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may be able to include certain international elements when permitted under NIH rules and when appropriately justified and documented.
What does it mean that "foreign components" are allowed?
Based on the provided description, it means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based, but the project may include certain international elements if they meet the NIH definition of a foreign component under the NIH Grants Policy Statement and are properly justified and documented.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PAR 23-021.
What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?
The posting indicates this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the education and health activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.279.
When was this opportunity created?
The posting indicates the opportunity was created on 2022-10-21.
What is the closing date listed in the posting?
The provided information lists an original closing date of 2025-09-25.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown?
The posted award ceiling is $300,000.
How many awards will NIH/NIDA make under this opportunity?
The excerpt provided does not list an expected number of awards. Applicants are directed (implicitly) to consult the full funding announcement for award number information and any updates.
Where can applicants find details like project period, budget structure, and review criteria?
The provided excerpt notes that applicants should consult the full funding announcement for updates and specifics such as the expected number of awards, project period expectations, budget structure details, and the review criteria used to evaluate "highly innovative" and "high impact" proposals for early stage investigators.
Is the program specifically intended to support high-risk, high-reward ideas?
The program is described as backing bold, highly innovative research with potential for high impact and field-shaping outcomes, including allowing promising early stage investigators to pursue work even without extensive preliminary data typical of more conventional mechanisms.
Is the scope limited to a specific substance or type of substance use disorder?
The information provided does not name specific substances or narrow the scope to a particular subtype. It broadly targets genetics and/or epigenetics research related to substance use disorders.
Does the excerpt define specific research topics or required aims?
No. The notice emphasizes genetics and epigenetics and highlights the intent to encourage transformative research, but it does not list specific required topics in the excerpt provided.
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| Precompetitive Collaboration on Liquid Biopsy for Early Cancer Assessment: Data Management and Coordinating Unit (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 23 019 Funding Number: RFA CA 23 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
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