Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 603

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 603

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) titled "Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18-603) supports research that improves understanding of how sex and gender shape substance use, abuse, and dependence, with a strong emphasis on producing findings that can inform prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The grant mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and clinical trials are allowed but not required, meaning applicants can propose either preclinical, clinical, or mixed translational studies as long as the work fits the FOA goals.

The FOA has two main aims. First, it seeks studies that identify differences between males and females in drug- and alcohol-related outcomes and that dig into the biological, behavioral, social, and other mechanisms that may explain those differences. This includes research that goes beyond simply reporting differences and instead tests why the differences occur, how they change across development or contexts, and how they affect risk, progression, relapse, and recovery. It also encourages translational work that moves mechanistic insights toward practical applications, such as tailoring interventions or improving clinical decision-making based on sex- or gender-related factors. Second, the FOA explicitly encourages research that is specific to women or especially relevant to women, which can include topics where women have unique risk factors, patterns of use, health consequences, comorbidities, or treatment needs.

A notable feature of this opportunity is its broad scientific scope: it welcomes both preclinical and clinical studies across essentially all areas of drug and alcohol research. That means applicants could propose basic laboratory work, animal studies, human laboratory studies, observational or epidemiological analyses, intervention development, clinical research, implementation-focused approaches, or other well-justified research strategies, so long as the central focus aligns with women and/or sex/gender differences in substance-related outcomes. The "clinical trial optional" designation signals flexibility; projects may include clinical trials when appropriate, but strong non-trial proposals that address the FOA priorities are also responsive.

Eligibility is wide, reflecting NIH's intent to attract diverse institutions and settings. Eligible applicants include many types of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. It also includes Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. In addition, the FOA highlights other eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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-U.S. (foreign) organizations.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant with NIH as the awarding agency, and it falls under CFDA numbers 93.273 and 93.279. The FOA record lists an original closing date of 2021-05-07 and a creation date of 2018-01-29. Award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which is common for some NIH program announcements where budget and award volume depend on application quality, program priorities, and available appropriations.

Overall, this FOA is designed to strengthen the evidence base on how sex and gender influence substance use disorders and related outcomes, while also building a more robust and actionable research portfolio focused on women. It encourages studies that are not only descriptive but mechanistic and translational, with the goal of ultimately improving prevention and treatment strategies for drug and alcohol abuse and dependence across populations.

• 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 (R01 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.)
• 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 18 603

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