Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Connecticut Health Center received a $191,700 K99/R00 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) on February 15, 2026. The grant supports research to identify and validate mechanisms of action (MOA) underlying peer recovery support (PRS) services for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). During the K99 phase, the research team will develop a client-centered assessment battery measuring MOA of PRS through collaboration with community boards of individuals with lived experience of OUD and certified peer recovery specialists. This phase includes qualitative research activities using human-centered design principles and iterative refinement of assessment tools. The deliverables include identification of potential MOA, compilation of appropriate assessment instruments, and refinement of those assessments through qualitative interviews and think-aloud protocols involving approximately 20 participants.

During the R00 phase, the research team will integrate the refined assessment battery into an ongoing clinical trial (N=82) to examine effects of a PRS program on identified MOA, then develop an MOA-enhanced PRS program co-designed with community boards. The R00 phase will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the enhanced program, with completion targeted for January 31, 2028. This research addresses the ongoing public health crisis of opioid-related overdose deaths by developing evidence-based strategies to improve treatment retention through peer support mechanisms, ultimately contributing to more effective OUD treatment outcomes.