Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 602

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 602

Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 602) designed to push drug and alcohol research toward a clearer understanding of how outcomes differ by sex and gender, and why those differences occur. The program has a two-part purpose. First, it supports studies that identify male-female differences in substance use, abuse, and dependence outcomes, investigate the biological and/or behavioral mechanisms driving those differences, and translate those findings into approaches that can improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Second, it specifically encourages research that is focused on women or is especially relevant to women, recognizing that women may experience distinct risk factors, trajectories, consequences, and treatment responses related to alcohol and other drugs.

The FOA uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for early-stage, exploratory, or developmental projects that can generate strong preliminary findings or test innovative ideas that may later be expanded into larger studies. Consistent with the title, clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants can propose either preclinical work (for example, laboratory or animal studies aimed at mechanism discovery) or clinical research (including human studies, and potentially clinical trials if appropriate). Importantly, the FOA is broad in scope and welcomes proposals across essentially all areas of drug and alcohol research, as long as the central theme addresses sex/gender differences or women-focused relevance in a meaningful way.

From an applicant eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is wide open across many organization types. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. It also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. In addition, the FOA highlights a set of other eligible applicants that NIH is prepared to receive applications from, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); community-based and faith-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), which signals that international participation is allowable where appropriate.

On funding details, the listed award ceiling is $200,000. The FOA is associated with CFDA numbers 93.273 and 93.279, which correspond to NIH substance use research portfolios (commonly aligned with drug abuse and alcohol abuse research activities). The opportunity record shows a creation date of January 29, 2018, and an original closing date of May 7, 2021, indicating the posting timeframe for the specific listing provided. Overall, the grant is aimed at accelerating practical, mechanism-informed insights about sex and gender in substance-related outcomes, while also expanding the evidence base for issues that uniquely or disproportionately affect women in the context of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R21 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-01-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (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.

Apply for PA 18 602

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