Extracellular Vesicles and Substance Use Disorders (R01) | PAR 17 250

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 250

The grant opportunity "Extracellular Vesicles and Substance Use Disorders (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-250) is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant administered through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It supports investigator-initiated research projects using the R01 mechanism, with the central goal of advancing what is known about how extracellular vesicles (EVs) relate to substance use disorders (SUDs). EVs are small membrane-bound particles released by cells that can carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells, making them potentially important messengers in the brain and peripheral systems. NIDA is specifically encouraging studies that examine the two-way relationship between EV biology and addiction-related processes, especially where EVs may help explain neuroplastic changes that contribute to SUD development, maintenance, relapse risk, or recovery.

A major emphasis of the announcement is on using EVs to better understand neuroplastic mechanisms relevant to substance use disorders. In practical terms, this can include research on how exposure to drugs of abuse alters EV release, EV cargo, or EV signaling pathways, and how those EV-mediated changes influence neural circuits implicated in reward, stress, learning, memory, motivation, and executive function. The opportunity also highlights EVs as potentially useful tools for translational applications. That includes developing or validating EV-based biomarkers, for example EV signatures in blood, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or other accessible samples that could indicate drug exposure, severity of disorder, neuroinflammation, risk of relapse, treatment response, or comorbid conditions. In addition, the FOA points to the therapeutic angle, where EVs could be explored as delivery vehicles or modulators of disease processes, potentially enabling new ways to influence addiction-relevant biology or support recovery.

This is a grant in the Education and Health activity category and is listed under CFDA number 93.279. The posting indicates the original closing date was 2020-03-03, and the opportunity record was created on 2017-04-04. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and NIH guidance for budget expectations, allowable costs, and any institute-specific funding considerations.

Eligibility is broad and includes many standard NIH-eligible organizations. Eligible applicants listed include 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types, underscoring a strong interest in participation from diverse institutions and community-connected organizations. These include 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; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).

Overall, the opportunity is geared toward research that connects EV science to addiction science in a way that can clarify mechanisms in the nervous system and accelerate practical tools for detection, monitoring, or treatment. Projects that combine rigorous EV characterization with well-defined SUD-related models, clinical cohorts, or mechanistic hypotheses align with the intent described in the FOA, particularly when they advance understanding of neuroplasticity or move toward biomarker and therapeutic development relevant to substance use disorders.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Extracellular Vesicles and Substance Use Disorders (R01)" 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 2017-04-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 17 250

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