The NIH HEAL Initiative seeks applications for a new Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN) Phase II Community Engaged Research Resource Center (CERRC) to support research efforts targeting substance use disorders (SUD) and overdose prevention among justice-involved populations. The primary objective of the CERRC is to facilitate the meaningful engagement of individuals with lived experience in both the criminal justice system and substance use recovery, enhancing the relevance and efficacy of the research conducted across the JCOIN network. As part of a coordinated network, the CERRC will provide leadership, resources, and guidance to foster community-based, patient-centered research and improve outcomes for those at high risk of overdose and other health challenges.

The CERRC will engage in four primary activities: (1) establishing and managing a Community Advisory Board (CAB) made up of individuals with relevant lived experience, (2) developing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within JCOIN, (3) creating publicly accessible resources to aid in community-engaged research within justice settings, and (4) conducting four “rapid turnaround” research projects, including an initial project focused on mapping patient experiences in navigating the intersection of criminal justice and treatment services. This center will also connect JCOIN researchers with public health and safety agencies to identify research priorities, gaps, and strategies that directly address barriers in current treatment models, stigma reduction, social determinants of health, and policy impacts on justice-involved populations.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, local governments, tribal entities, and community-based organizations. Applicant organizations must be registered in relevant federal systems (e.g., SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov) prior to submission. Applications are expected to demonstrate expertise in community engagement, DEI initiatives, and rapid research deployment. Additionally, experience in engaging with justice-affected individuals and managing cross-institutional partnerships will be prioritized. The proposed project budget is capped at $750,000 per year, with a project period of up to five years. One award is anticipated, pending sufficient NIH appropriations and the submission of a meritorious application.

The CERRC will collaborate with JCOIN’s existing network components to avoid duplication and strengthen program effectiveness. Coordination includes regular virtual and in-person meetings with other resource centers and JCOIN hubs, participation in the HEAL Investigators Meeting, and ongoing alignment with JCOIN goals through shared data management practices and network-wide communication. Key responsibilities include facilitating meetings with JCOIN research hubs, connecting and supporting individuals with lived experience across research sites, and ensuring a safe, inclusive work environment for all network participants. Applicants should plan for ongoing evaluation of the CERRC’s impact and effectiveness in achieving these goals.

Applications must adhere to NIH guidelines, including a detailed resource-sharing plan, a Data Management and Sharing Plan, and the HEAL Initiative’s public access policies for data and publications. Applicants are encouraged to propose a structured approach for CAB member recruitment and engagement, a clear DEI support framework, a strategy for public resource creation, and an outline for rapid research deployment. Initial rapid research will involve “patient journey mapping” to document justice-affected individuals’ treatment and service access experiences, with subsequent projects to be developed in collaboration with the network’s advisory and steering committees.

Applications are due by January 22, 2025, with an encouraged letter of intent submission by December 22, 2024. Prospective applicants are advised to consult with NIDA staff to ensure project alignment with HEAL Initiative guidelines. The anticipated start date for the award is September 2025.