NIDA Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 320

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 320

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering an NIH Research Education Program (R25) grant opportunity titled "NIDA Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number PAR 21 320. This is a discretionary grant in the education and health category (CFDA 93.279) designed to support structured research education activities that align with NIH and NIDA mission areas. The central purpose is workforce development: strengthening the nations biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research capacity by building substance use and substance use disorder research knowledge among people in clinically focused career paths.

The program is specifically aimed at clinicians, health service providers, clinical researchers, and trainees preparing for those roles, with a strong emphasis on individuals who blend clinical practice with research. In practical terms, this funding is meant to help institutions create or enhance educational experiences that deepen participants understanding of substance use and substance use disorder science, including the research methods, evidence base, and research-focused competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to the field. A key boundary is that the R25 mechanism cannot be used for non-research-related clinical training, meaning proposals should stay clearly centered on research education rather than routine clinical skill training or service delivery.

As indicated by the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity. That generally means the funded activities should not include conducting NIH-defined clinical trials; instead, the focus should remain on education, research exposure, research skills development, mentorship structures, curriculum development, and similar research education components intended to prepare or upskill participants for substance use-related research careers. The intent is to complement and enhance the training pipeline rather than function as a clinical trial award.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding those that are institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and eligible federal agencies, as well as U.S. territories or possessions.

Restrictions apply to non-U.S. applicants. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed when they meet the NIH definition in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain international elements or collaborations as part of the project when well-justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the applicant.

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $350,000, and the posted original closing date is 2024-11-15 (with the FOA originally created on 2021-09-01). Overall, this FOA is best understood as support for education-focused programs that strengthen clinical researchers and clinicians ability to engage with, contribute to, and advance substance use and substance use disorder research, while staying firmly on the research education side rather than funding clinical trial conduct or non-research clinical training.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2021-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-15. (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 $350,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 21 320

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