Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R01 ) | PAR 18 510

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 510

The grant opportunity titled "Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-510) is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) research project grant designed to advance scientific understanding of synthetic psychoactive drugs and to translate that knowledge into practical strategies that reduce harm. The core purpose is to support research that clarifies how and why these substances are used, how they work in the body and brain, what short- and long-term health consequences they produce, and which prevention and treatment approaches are most effective. A major emphasis is placed not only on basic and mechanistic insights, but also on applied work that can improve clinical responses in emergency department settings as well as longer-range treatment and recovery outcomes.

This funding opportunity centers on several connected research priorities. One priority is strengthening the evidence base on patterns of use, including who uses synthetic psychoactive drugs, under what conditions, and what social or environmental factors contribute to initiation, escalation, and repeated exposure. Another priority is investigating mechanisms of action, meaning the biological targets and pathways these drugs affect, how different compounds may vary in potency or toxicity, and how those differences translate into acute intoxication, adverse events, dependence, or other outcomes. The FOA also seeks studies that characterize health effects across time, which can include immediate harms that bring people to emergency care as well as longer-term physical and mental health effects. Finally, the opportunity explicitly calls for development and testing of prevention strategies and treatment strategies, including approaches tailored to emergency departments (where rapid recognition and management are critical) and approaches aimed at longer-term care, follow-up, and sustained recovery.

The funding instrument is an NIH R01, which generally supports a defined, investigator-driven research project. The Funding Activity Category listed for this opportunity is Education and Health, and the CFDA number associated with it is 93.279. While the specific award ceiling and the number of expected awards are not provided in the source text, the R01 mechanism typically supports substantial, multi-year research programs where applicants can justify the scope, staffing, and resources needed to answer focused scientific questions and produce actionable findings.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants as well as certain non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Academic institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, and the FOA also highlights Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than Federally Recognized) as additional eligible applicants. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether they have 501(c)(3) status or not (so long as they are not institutions of higher education under those categories), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses, are also eligible. The opportunity further emphasizes inclusivity for a range of mission-driven and community-rooted institutions, explicitly listing 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 government agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).

Key administrative details from the source information include that the opportunity was created on 2017-12-18 and listed an original closing date of 2020-05-07. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. Overall, the FOA is aimed at generating rigorous, actionable research that helps the public health and clinical systems better understand synthetic psychoactive drugs and respond more effectively through prevention, acute care improvements in emergency departments, and stronger longer-term treatment strategies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R01 )" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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.

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