Phased Research to Support Substance Use Epidemiology, Prevention, and Services Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 24 062

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 062

Phased Research to Support Substance Use Epidemiology, Prevention, and Services Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trials Optional) is a National Institutes of Health grant opportunity (PAR-24-062) designed to speed up practical, real-world research that can reduce the public health burden of substance use. The central emphasis is on translational work that connects what researchers observe in populations (epidemiology) with what they can test and deliver in communities and systems (prevention and services). The opportunity is built for projects that are ready to move quickly from a strong idea to an actionable intervention, or from an early pilot to broader implementation, with an expectation that the results could meaningfully change practice, policy, or how services are delivered.

A defining feature of this NOFO is its phased structure using the R61/R33 mechanism. The first phase (R61) functions as a time-limited planning and development period where teams refine their approach, strengthen partnerships, finalize protocols, and generate the key pieces needed to launch the next step with confidence. If the R61 phase meets clearly defined milestones, the project can transition into the second phase (R33), which supports the more substantial execution stage, such as testing an intervention, expanding a prevention approach, or carrying out implementation activities within real service settings. This structure is meant to reduce the common gap between promising concepts and deployable solutions by funding both the preparatory work and the follow-through, while still holding projects accountable to progress benchmarks before larger investments are made.

The scientific scope spans substance use epidemiology, prevention research, and services research, with an overall goal of relieving substance-related harms. In practical terms, projects may focus on understanding patterns and drivers of substance use and related outcomes, improving prevention strategies, or strengthening the effectiveness, reach, quality, and equity of services. Because the NOFO highlights rapid translation from hypotheses to intervention or from pilot to implementation, it is particularly aligned with studies that are poised to move beyond observation alone and toward testing or rolling out approaches that can be adopted by health systems, community organizations, schools, justice settings, or other service environments where substance use prevention and care take place.

Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, which signals flexibility in the types of study designs that can be supported. Applicants can propose clinical trials when they are appropriate to the question and the stage of the research, but the opportunity is not limited to trials. This allows teams to propose a range of translational methods, including planning work that leads directly into effectiveness, pragmatic, or implementation-oriented studies, depending on what is necessary to move an evidence-informed approach into practice.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide mix of public, private, and community-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly calls out additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); 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 even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects the reality that effective substance use prevention and services research often depends on partnerships across academia, government, healthcare, and community organizations, including entities embedded in the communities most affected.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health, with activity categories tied to education and health. The listed CFDA numbers are 93.273 and 93.279. The posting date is November 7, 2023, and the original closing date provided is December 14, 2026. The source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should rely on the full NOFO text for budget guidance, project period expectations, milestone requirements, and any institute-specific priorities tied to these NIH programs.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at research teams that can use an initial, milestone-driven planning period to set up a high-impact second phase, producing findings that are not only publishable but also positioned for adoption in the systems and settings where they can reduce substance use harms at the population level.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Phased Research to Support Substance Use Epidemiology, Prevention, and Services Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trials 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-12-14. (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.

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