Federal Project Grant Award Summary

East Tennessee State University received a $158,333 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) beginning March 15, 2026 through February 29, 2028. The grant funds the development of a comprehensive index of peer support specialist (PSS) work settings and activities—a foundational taxonomy that will standardize job titles, service roles, job-related activities, and work environments for peer support specialists in substance use disorder recovery services. This index is designed to address a critical gap in existing research by providing a uniform classification system that enables subsequent rigorous effectiveness studies on the public health impact of peer support services.

The project directly addresses the national substance use disorder and overdose crisis by establishing the methodological infrastructure necessary to advance evidence-based research on peer support interventions. By creating a standardized taxonomy, the research will facilitate more precise measurement of peer support services—which leverage the lived recovery experience of trained specialists to extend treatment access beyond traditional clinical settings and reduce service costs. The resulting index will serve as the foundation for future implementation science research examining how peer support specialists can improve long-term recovery outcomes and increase service reach across the complex U.S. treatment and recovery support continuum.