Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program (R03, Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- PAS-27-028
- Agency
-
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Health
- Eligible applicants
-
- County Governments
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Special District Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Public or Indian Housing Auth.
- For Profit Organizations
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- City/Township Governments
- Other
- State Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Small Businesses
- Independent School Districts
- Points of contact
-
- Hoang Le hoang.le@nih.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks applicants for the Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program, a seed-funding initiative with rolling application deadlines beginning October 16, 2026 and continuing through March 16, 2029. The program is open to a broad range of eligible applicants, including higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal organizations (federally and non-federally recognized), and foreign organizations, though foreign subawards are prohibited.
Each award provides up to $100,000 in direct costs per year for a maximum two-year project period. NIDA anticipates funding six to seven awards annually with a total of $1,000,000 per fiscal year across fiscal years 2027–2030. No cost share is required.
The program supports five research focus areas: discovery and development of new chemical entities or biologics for substance use disorders and drug dependence; development and application of brain imaging tools or methods; application of innovative neurocognitive and behavioral science tools or paradigms; application of advanced data science techniques and computational methods including artificial intelligence; and research at the intersection of substance use and HIV/AIDS. Projects must address basic, clinical, translational, epidemiological, or intervention science. Preliminary data are not required; feasibility may be demonstrated through literature support or methodological evidence. Clinical trials are optional. Applications that focus solely on alcohol, propose harm reduction models, or lack substance use focus will not be reviewed.
Early-stage investigators and those new to substance use or HIV/AIDS research are encouraged to apply. Projects are expected to yield preliminary findings for larger R or equivalent applications. The program operates under CFDA 93.279 (Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs). Applicants must complete required registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, ORCID, and Grants.gov before submission.
Synopsis
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to facilitate the entry of investigators into multiple high-priority areas of substance use research, including comorbidity with HIV. The Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program aims to provide investigators with the opportunity to gather preliminary data that will assist them in securing future research grants and advancing their scientific careers.
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00293210.pdf | ||
| PAS-27-028-Full-Announcement.html | HTML file |
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