Alcohol Research Programs

To develop a sound fundamental knowledge base which can be applied to the development of improved methods of treatment and more effective strategies for preventing alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and A

To develop a sound fundamental knowledge base which can be applied to the development of improved methods of treatment and more effective strategies for preventing alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports research in a broad range of disciplines and subject areas related to biomedical and genetic factors, psychological and environmental factors, alcohol-related problems and medical disorders, health services research, and prevention and treatment research.

Public or private profit and nonprofit agencies, including State, local, or regional government agencies, universities, colleges, hospitals, academic or research institutions may apply for research grants. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Public, profit and nonprofit private organizations.

(1) Research Project Grants provide support for clearly defined projects or a small group of related activities, and when appropriate, support of conferences; (2) Program Project Grants are for large-scale, broad-based programs of research, usually interdisciplinary, consisting of several projects with a common focus; (3) Small Grants are for small-scale exploratory and pilot studies or exploration of an unusual research opportunity; Small Grants are limited to $50,000 for direct costs for a period of up to 2 years; (4) Exploratory/Developmental Grants are limited for a period of up to 2 years, and a maximum of $275,000 for direct costs for the entire 2- year period. Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to the approved research project. SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6- months' duration) are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or processes. Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I, and that are likely to result in commercial products or processes. STTR Phase I grants (normally of 1-year duration) are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of Phase II application; (5). Alcohol Research Center Grants, and Alcohol Research Resource Centers provide long-term support for a concerted and multi-disciplinary research effort into the problems of alcohol use and alcoholism by coordinating the activities of investigators from biomedical, behavioral, and social science disciplines around a basic research theme. An alcohol research center is expected to realize its greater potential for contributing to the basic store of knowledge about alcohol and alcoholism and to become a significant regional and national resource; (6) Training and Research Career Development awards - Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards (K01), Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08), and Independent Scientist Awards (K02) provide support for individuals with research potential who need additional development and/or experience in a productive research environment. Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) and Mid-career Investigator Award in Patient Oriented Research (K24) and Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award (K25) are also available. Senior Scientist Awards (K05) are also available to enable senior investigators to devote full-time to research. Academic Career Awards (K07) are also available for clinical faculty development; and (7)Alcohol National Research Service Awards for Research Training awards to assure the maintenance of an adequate supply of well-trained alcohol researchers through the award of both individual fellowships and grants to training institutions for support of training at both the pre-doctoral and postdoctoral levels and for Senior Fellowships and M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships. Special pre-doctoral fellowships are also available for students with disabilities and for minority students.

Varies, but a project period is generally limited to 5 years or less. Grantee may apply for renewal of support on a competing basis. Within the project period, continuation applications must be submitted on a non-competing basis for each year of approved support. Small Grants are limited to 2 years or less and are not renewable. Exploratory/Developmental Grants are limited to 3 years or less and are not renewable. Payments will be made either on a Monthly Cash Request System or under an Electronic Transfer System. Necessary instructions for the appropriate type of payment will be issued shortly after an award is made. SBIR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 1 year; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years.

The following considerations will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Scientific and technical merit of the proposal; (2) program balance; and (3) relevance to NIAAA priorities and public health issues. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human of animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; (7) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (8) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment.

Research Grants in support of projects recommended for approval by the National Advisory Council on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and approved for payment are awarded directly by the NIAAA to the applicant institution. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

From 240 to 270 days from submission of application for grant support. SBIR/STTR applications about 7-1/2 months. AIDS related research applications about 6 months.

Support is recommended for a specified project period, usually not in excess of 5 years. Prior to termination of a project period, the grantee may apply for renewal of support for a new project period. An application for renewal is processed as a competing request. Small Grants and Exploratory/Developmental Grants are not renewable, but grantees may apply for research project grants on the same topics.

A principal investigator may appeal the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeals procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html