The NIDA Avant-Garde Program for HIV and Substance Use Disorder Research (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) is a funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) designed to support exceptionally creative scientists. The program seeks innovative, high-impact studies at the intersection of HIV and substance use, emphasizing transformative research approaches. Applicants must propose pioneering work aligned with NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities (NOT-OD-20-018) that diverges substantially from current endeavors in the field. This program encourages submissions that address HIV prevention, treatment, or functional cure in populations with substance use disorders (SUD).

Awardees will receive up to $700,000 in direct costs annually for a maximum of five years, totaling $3.5 million. Applications should focus on high-risk, high-reward projects with the potential to shift paradigms or open new areas of research. Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to strategies for preventing HIV transmission in substance-using populations, interventions for HIV-related comorbidities, and research on achieving an HIV cure in SUD-affected individuals. Submissions must highlight the connection between substance use and HIV and demonstrate the transformative potential of the proposed work.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. and foreign institutions, including public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profits, and tribal governments. Applications must be submitted by a single Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and may not include multiple PDs/PIs. Investigators at all career stages are eligible, provided they can dedicate at least 35% effort to the project. Foreign organizations and collaborations are allowed under certain conditions, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent 30 days before the application due date. The application process requires a detailed essay describing the project’s innovative vision, its significance for the field, and how it aligns with the goals of the Avant-Garde Award Program. Letters of reference and other supporting documents are required to complete the submission. Applications will undergo rigorous peer review, emphasizing the project’s significance, innovation, and the investigator’s potential to conduct groundbreaking research.

Deadlines for submission are set for August 15, 2025, with award notifications expected by April 2026. NIDA will make final funding decisions based on scientific merit, availability of funds, and programmatic priorities. Selected awardees will be required to comply with NIH policies on data sharing, human subjects, and other regulatory requirements.

For further guidance, applicants are encouraged to contact the designated NIDA program officials and review the complete Notice of Funding Opportunity. Detailed instructions, including submission procedures and required documents, are provided in the official NIH guidelines and application resources.