Alcohol and Other Drug Interactions: Unintentional Injuries and Overdoses: Epidemiology and Prevention (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 861

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 861

This grant opportunity, titled "Alcohol and Other Drug Interactions: Unintentional Injuries and Overdoses: Epidemiology and Prevention (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-861), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program announcement led by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). It uses the R03 mechanism, which is generally designed for small, focused research projects that can generate early evidence, pilot data, or targeted analyses. The central goal is to support studies that examine whether and how alcohol interacts with other substances, including illicit drugs as well as prescription medications used in non-medical or illicit ways, in ways that raise the risk of unintentional injuries, poisonings, and overdoses. In addition to understanding these interactions, the opportunity explicitly emphasizes prevention: applicants are encouraged to develop and test approaches that prevent or reduce simultaneous use of alcohol and drugs, whether those substances are used alone or in combination.

From a research focus standpoint, the announcement is aimed at the real-world public health problem where alcohol co-use can intensify impairment, worsen respiratory depression when combined with other depressants, increase risk-taking, and complicate medical response during emergencies. Projects supported under this FOA can include epidemiology-oriented work that characterizes patterns, contexts, and correlates of co-use, and prevention-oriented work that identifies strategies to reduce harmful combined use and related injury outcomes. Because the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants are not required to include a clinical trial, but they may propose one if it fits the research question and is appropriate for the R03 scope. That flexibility allows proposals ranging from secondary analyses of existing datasets and surveillance systems, to exploratory intervention development or feasibility testing, to small-scale trials that evaluate a preventive approach.

In terms of funding and scale, the listed award ceiling is $50,000, which signals that the program is intended for narrowly defined, efficient projects rather than large, multi-year studies. The activity categories are Education and Health, and the CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.273 and 93.279, which correspond to NIH/NIAAA-related assistance listings. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a standard grant funding instrument.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based applicants as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and 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 that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types 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 non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations. This wide eligibility reflects the fact that alcohol and drug co-use, overdose risk, and injury prevention are issues that cut across healthcare systems, community settings, and geographic regions, and it encourages participation from institutions that serve populations disproportionately affected by substance-related harms.

Administratively, the opportunity was created on July 19, 2018, and the source data lists an original closing date of January 7, 2022. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. Overall, the FOA is best understood as a targeted call for concise research projects that can clarify the role of alcohol in multi-substance injuries and overdoses and can inform practical prevention strategies to reduce harm from using alcohol and drugs together.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alcohol and Other Drug Interactions: Unintentional Injuries and Overdoses: Epidemiology and Prevention (R03 - 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 2018-07-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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 $50,000.00 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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