Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 086
Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity (PAR-18-086) released under the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) initiative. The overall focus is on improving treatment outcomes for substance use disorders by supporting research that develops, refines, and conducts early-stage testing of targeted addiction treatments. A key feature is that projects are expected to address real-world complexity in addiction by considering multiple substances rather than a single drug in isolation. In practice, this means studies may involve alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (often referred to collectively as ATOD) and examine how treatments can be tailored to individuals or subgroups based on measurable characteristics, needs, or response patterns.
The FOA uses the R21/R33 phased innovation-to-development structure, which is designed to help teams move from exploratory work to a more advanced stage once initial milestones are met. The first phase (R21) generally supports early, exploratory research such as creating or adapting intervention components, developing methods for better assessment and engagement, and running preliminary or feasibility tests. The second phase (R33) is typically intended for expanded preliminary testing once the project has shown enough promise to justify the next step. The listing specifies that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants can propose either clinical trial or non-clinical trial research depending on what best fits the aims, but the central emphasis remains on generating actionable evidence that can improve treatment engagement, targeting, and the reliability and reproducibility of findings.
The title highlights three thematic priorities that applicants would be expected to build into their approach. First is target assessment, which points to improved measurement and identification of treatment targets, such as clinical characteristics, behavioral mechanisms, patterns of polysubstance use, or other indicators that can guide treatment selection and personalization. Second is engagement, signaling interest in practical strategies to improve initiation, retention, adherence, and sustained participation in care, particularly important in substance use disorder treatment where dropout and inconsistent attendance can undermine outcomes. Third is data replicability, reflecting NIH-wide priorities around reproducible science, including rigorous study design, clear analytic plans, transparent reporting, and approaches that increase confidence that results will hold up across settings, samples, and research groups.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants: state, county, city or township governments; 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible groups and settings, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is consistent with CRAN goals of enabling diverse research teams and improving the relevance of findings across different populations and care environments.
From the source data provided, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the activity is categorized under education and health with CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.279, and 93.399. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, and the original closing date shown is 2019-09-07, indicating the opportunity as posted is from a prior cycle. In plain terms, the FOA is aimed at supporting early-stage, milestone-driven research that can lead to more precise and engaging treatments for substance use disorders involving multiple substances, while also strengthening the credibility and repeatability of the evidence produced.Apply for PAR 18 086
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.279, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-09-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.
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FAQs: Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (PAR-18-086)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary funding opportunity titled "Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)", Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number PAR-18-086. It was released under the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) initiative.
2) What is the main purpose of the FOA?
The overall purpose is to improve treatment outcomes for substance use disorders (SUD) by supporting research that develops, refines, and conducts early-stage testing of targeted addiction treatments. The FOA emphasizes producing actionable evidence that can improve treatment targeting, engagement, and the reliability/reproducibility of findings.
3) What kinds of substances are within scope?
Projects are expected to address real-world complexity by considering multiple substances, not just a single drug in isolation. Studies may involve alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (often referred to collectively as ATOD) and examine polysubstance use patterns.
4) What does "targeted addiction treatments" mean in this FOA?
In this context, targeted treatments are approaches that can be tailored to individuals or subgroups based on measurable characteristics, needs, or response patterns. The FOA highlights research that improves how treatment targets are identified and used to guide treatment selection and personalization.
5) What are the three main thematic priorities emphasized by the FOA?
The FOA highlights three priorities applicants are expected to incorporate:
- Target assessment: improving measurement and identification of treatment targets (for example, clinical characteristics, behavioral mechanisms, patterns of polysubstance use, or other indicators that guide treatment selection).
- Engagement: practical strategies to improve initiation, retention, adherence, and sustained participation in care.
- Data replicability: strengthening reproducible science through rigorous design, clear analytic plans, transparent reporting, and methods that improve confidence results will hold across settings and samples.
6) What does "R21/R33 phased innovation-to-development" mean?
This FOA uses an R21/R33 phased structure intended to help research teams move from exploratory work to a more advanced stage when initial milestones are met:
- R21 phase: generally supports early, exploratory research such as creating/adapting intervention components, developing better assessment and engagement methods, and conducting preliminary or feasibility tests.
- R33 phase: typically supports expanded preliminary testing once the project shows enough promise to justify the next step.
7) Does this FOA require a clinical trial?
No. The FOA states clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose either clinical trial or non-clinical trial research, depending on what best fits the project aims, while keeping the focus on improving treatment outcomes and strengthening evidence quality.
8) What kinds of research activities fit the R21 phase?
Based on the information provided, the R21 phase generally fits early-stage activities such as developing or adapting intervention components, improving methods for assessment and engagement, and running preliminary or feasibility tests.
9) What kinds of research activities fit the R33 phase?
Based on the information provided, the R33 phase is intended for expanded preliminary testing after the project demonstrates sufficient promise and meets initial milestones.
10) Why does the FOA emphasize engagement in SUD treatment?
Engagement is emphasized because SUD treatment commonly faces challenges such as dropout and inconsistent attendance, which can undermine outcomes. The FOA signals interest in strategies that improve initiation, retention, adherence, and sustained participation in care.
11) What does "data replicability" mean in this opportunity?
Data replicability reflects NIH-wide priorities around reproducible science. The FOA points to approaches such as rigorous study design, clear analytic plans, transparent reporting, and methods that increase confidence results will generalize across settings, samples, and research teams.
12) Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency listed is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
13) What is the initiative associated with this FOA?
This FOA is associated with the Collaborative Research on Addiction at NIH (CRAN) initiative.
14) What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
15) What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.273, 93.279, and 93.399.
16) How is the activity categorized?
The activity is categorized under education and health (as stated in the source data provided).
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants, including:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
18) Are any specific institution types explicitly called out as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible groups/settings, including:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories or possessions
- Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations)
19) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The information provided explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.
20) What does the listed closing date indicate about the timing of the opportunity?
The original closing date shown is 2019-09-07, which indicates the opportunity as posted is from a prior cycle.
21) What is the practical takeaway for applicants?
The opportunity is aimed at early-stage, milestone-driven research that can lead to more precise and engaging SUD treatments involving multiple substances, while also improving the credibility and repeatability of the evidence produced.
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| Strategic Alliances for Medications Development to Treat Substance Use Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 218 Funding Number: PAR 18 218 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
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| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 370 Funding Number: PA 18 370 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental or Substance Use Disorders or Alcohol Addiction (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 231 Funding Number: PAR 18 231 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| A Family-Centered Self-Management of Chronic Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 383 Funding Number: PA 18 383 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Population Health Interventions: Integrating Individual and Group Level Evidence (R21)- Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for PA 18 406 Funding Number: PA 18 406 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R21) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for PAR 18 378 Funding Number: PAR 18 378 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| mHealth Tools for Individuals with Chronic Conditions to Promote Effective Patient-Provider Communication, Adherence to Treatment and Self-Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 389 Funding Number: PA 18 389 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| mHealth Tools for Individuals with Chronic Conditions to Promote Effective Patient-Provider Communication, Adherence to Treatment and Self-Management (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 386 Funding Number: PA 18 386 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Population Health Interventions: Integrating Individual and Group Level Evidence (R01) - Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PA 18 385 Funding Number: PA 18 385 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Population Health Interventions: Integrating Individual and Group Level Evidence (R01) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for PA 18 356 Funding Number: PA 18 356 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R01) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for PAR 18 352 Funding Number: PAR 18 352 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Family-Centered Self-Management of Chronic Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 380 Funding Number: PA 18 380 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 393 Funding Number: PA 18 393 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Population Health Interventions: Integrating Individual and Group Level Evidence (R21) - Clinical Trials Optional Apply for PA 18 407 Funding Number: PA 18 407 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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