Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 068
The Pilot Health Services and Economic Research on the Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 068) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed to support early-stage, pilot, and preliminary studies that lay the groundwork for larger, more definitive health services research and effectiveness trials. The central goal is to help researchers and service systems test the “early questions” that determine whether a bigger study is warranted and how it should be designed. In practice, this means generating solid preliminary evidence about whether an intervention, practice change, program model, or policy approach can realistically be implemented, whether it is acceptable to patients and providers, and whether it shows enough promise to justify a larger-scale trial focused on outcomes.
The FOA targets research connected to treatment and service delivery for drug, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders, with an emphasis on improving how people access care and how well that care performs once they get it. Projects can focus on optimizing access (for example, reducing barriers to entry, improving referral pathways, or increasing availability in underserved settings), improving quality and effectiveness (such as strengthening clinical workflows, measurement-based care, or care coordination), and addressing affordability and utilization (including how cost, reimbursement, or financing structures affect whether people receive and stay engaged in treatment). The announcement is also explicit that it welcomes projects addressing services for co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, reflecting the reality that substance use disorders often overlap with depression, anxiety, serious mental illness, chronic pain, infectious disease, or other health issues that complicate treatment planning and service delivery.
A notable feature of this opportunity is its broad openness to different types of approaches. Applicants may propose novel strategies that are still emerging, but they may also study interventions and practices that are already widely used in real-world settings yet lack a strong evidence base. This practical orientation is important for health services research, because many programs and policies are implemented long before rigorous evaluation happens. Under this FOA, the expectation is not to deliver a fully powered, large-effectiveness trial, but to produce decision-quality pilot data on feasibility (can it be done as intended in the target setting), acceptability (do clients, staff, and stakeholders view it as workable and appropriate), and utility (does it show enough value, signal of impact, or operational benefit to move forward).
The funding mechanism is the NIH R34, which is commonly used for pilot work in preparation for later-stage research. Clinical trials are listed as optional, meaning applicants can propose a study that includes a clinical trial component if it is appropriate for answering the pilot questions, but they are not required to run a trial to be responsive. The activity categories associated with the opportunity are education and health, and the CFDA numbers listed are 93.273 and 93.279, reflecting NIH program areas tied to substance use and related research portfolios. The award ceiling provided in the source information is $225,000, which signals a relatively modest budget intended to support planning, pilot testing, initial implementation, and preliminary analyses rather than full-scale multi-site evaluations.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public and private entities. Standard 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 governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as 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 even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects the intent to encourage participation from diverse settings and communities, including organizations directly serving populations disproportionately affected by substance use disorders and gaps in treatment access.
From a timing and administrative standpoint, the source data shows an original closing date of May 7, 2018, and a creation date of November 15, 2017. While those dates indicate the specific posting window captured here, the substantive summary of the FOA is most useful for understanding the kind of pilot work NIH sought to stimulate: practical, implementation-aware studies that help the field move from promising ideas and common practices to well-designed, larger effectiveness trials that can genuinely inform policy and routine service delivery.Apply for PA 18 068
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot Health Services and Economic Research on the Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R34 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 2017-11-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-05-07. (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 $225,000.00 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: Pilot Health Services and Economic Research on the Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) - PA 18 068
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the NIH discretionary grant titled "Pilot Health Services and Economic Research on the Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)." It supports early-stage, pilot, and preliminary studies that help determine whether a larger, more definitive health services research study or effectiveness trial is warranted, and how it should be designed.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA 18 068.
What is the main purpose of an NIH R34 award under this FOA?
The R34 mechanism is intended to fund pilot work that produces decision-quality preliminary evidence. The goal is to answer "early questions" such as whether an intervention or service approach can be implemented as intended, whether it is acceptable to stakeholders, and whether it shows enough promise to justify a larger-scale trial focused on outcomes.
What types of studies does this FOA support?
This FOA supports pilot, feasibility, and preliminary studies in health services and economic research related to the treatment and service delivery of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders. The emphasis is on groundwork and early evidence rather than fully powered, large effectiveness trials.
Does the project need to be a clinical trial to be eligible?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this FOA. Applicants may include a clinical trial component if it fits the pilot questions being asked, but a trial is not required to be responsive.
What kinds of "early questions" should a pilot project answer?
Projects are expected to generate strong preliminary information about feasibility (whether the approach can be implemented as intended in the target setting), acceptability (whether patients, providers, staff, or stakeholders find it workable and appropriate), and utility (whether there are promising signals of impact, value, or operational benefit that justify a larger study).
What topic areas are emphasized in this opportunity?
The FOA emphasizes research connected to treatment and service delivery for drug, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders, with a focus on improving access to care and improving how well care performs once people are engaged.
What does "improving access to care" include in this FOA?
Access-oriented projects may address issues such as reducing barriers to entering treatment, improving referral pathways, or increasing availability of services in underserved settings.
What does "improving quality and effectiveness" include in this FOA?
Quality and effectiveness topics can include strengthening clinical workflows, implementing or improving measurement-based care, or improving care coordination.
What does the FOA mean by "affordability and utilization"?
Affordability and utilization topics may include how cost, reimbursement, or financing structures affect whether people receive treatment and remain engaged in care.
Are co-occurring medical or mental health conditions within scope?
Yes. The FOA explicitly welcomes projects addressing services for co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, recognizing that substance use disorders often overlap with conditions like depression, anxiety, serious mental illness, chronic pain, infectious disease, and other health issues that affect treatment planning and service delivery.
Can the project study practices already used in the real world?
Yes. The FOA is open to studying interventions and practices that are widely used in real-world settings but do not yet have a strong evidence base, as well as novel or emerging strategies.
Is the expectation to deliver a fully powered effectiveness trial?
No. The expectation is to produce solid pilot data that helps decide whether a larger trial should be pursued and how it should be designed, not to complete a full-scale multi-site evaluation.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling provided in the source information is $225,000.
What kinds of activities is this funding meant to support?
Based on the description, the funding is intended to support planning, pilot testing, initial implementation efforts, and preliminary analyses needed to inform a larger, later-stage study.
Which activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The activity categories listed are education and health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.273 and 93.279.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many public and private entities, including various levels of government, higher education institutions (public and private), tribal governments and organizations, housing authorities, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education where specified), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are eligible, and the FOA also includes tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible applicants, and small businesses are also separately listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are included among eligible applicants (excluding institutions of higher education where specified).
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) as eligible applicants.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among eligible applicants.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible.
What dates are shown for this opportunity in the provided information?
The source data shows a creation date of November 15, 2017, and an original closing date of May 7, 2018.
How should applicants interpret the listed dates?
The dates reflect the specific posting window captured in the provided information. The summary is most useful for understanding the type of pilot work NIH sought to stimulate under this FOA: practical, implementation-aware studies that support future larger effectiveness trials and inform policy and routine service delivery.
What makes this FOA "practical" in orientation?
The FOA emphasizes real-world relevance by supporting evaluation of both new strategies and common existing practices that may already be implemented in service systems but lack rigorous evidence, with an expectation of generating actionable pilot data for next-step decision-making.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Multi-Site Studies for System-Level Implementation of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: NIMH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Health Services and Economic Research on the Prevention and Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 069 Funding Number: PA 18 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Health Services and Economic Research on the Prevention and Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Abuse (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 070 Funding Number: PA 18 070 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) (U54) Apply for PAR 18 361 Funding Number: PAR 18 361 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 081 Funding Number: PAR 18 081 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/Start)(R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 082 Funding Number: PAR 18 082 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Integrative Research on Polysubstance Abuse and Addiction (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 084 Funding Number: PAR 18 084 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NCI Clinical and Translational Exploratory/Developmental Studies (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 020 Funding Number: PAR 18 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIDA Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 083 Funding Number: PAR 18 083 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 085 Funding Number: PAR 18 085 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 227 Funding Number: PAR 18 227 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) Apply for PAR 18 365 Funding Number: PAR 18 365 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 086 Funding Number: PAR 18 086 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) Apply for PAR 18 364 Funding Number: PAR 18 364 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22 - No Clinical Trials) Apply for PAR 18 366 Funding Number: PAR 18 366 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 021 Funding Number: PAR 18 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 230 Funding Number: PAR 18 230 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 367 Funding Number: PAR 18 367 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 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 |
| Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 219 Funding Number: PAR 18 219 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| 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 |
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