The NIH’s Alcohol and Other Substance Use Research Education Program (R25) provides funding for educational activities aimed at enhancing health professionals' understanding of the research and treatment of alcohol and other substance use disorders (AUD/SUD). This reissued opportunity (PAR-23-240), sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), supports programs that promote outreach to healthcare providers, focusing on new research findings and clinical practices to better address AUD/SUD in patients. Emphasizing training outside formal education settings, these programs target active healthcare providers, including but not limited to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers, who encounter patients with substance use issues.

The program aims to bridge the knowledge gap by providing professionals with updated research and treatment methods, from neurobiology to behavioral interventions and co-occurring disorders. The primary goal is to improve healthcare providers' ability to apply evidence-based AUD/SUD treatment strategies, thus enhancing patient care quality. The program also includes a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which requires applicants to incorporate strategies to improve inclusivity across various demographics and regions within the program.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, local and state governments, and other organizations based in the U.S. Applications may request up to $250,000 annually in direct costs, with an award duration of four years. Funding covers personnel costs for those implementing the program, participant compensation, and other necessary resources for program execution. However, funding cannot be used to support clinical trials or full-time trainees.

Applications should include a comprehensive dissemination plan, evaluation methods for monitoring effectiveness, and a sustainability plan to ensure continued impact post-funding. The evaluation plan should describe the methods for gathering participant feedback and how this data will guide program improvements. A diversity recruitment plan and instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) are mandatory, with the latter focusing on ethical practices across research methodologies.

Review criteria for the application include the program's significance, innovation, approach, environment, and the qualifications of key personnel. Additional consideration is given to the recruitment of participants from underrepresented groups and the adequacy of RCR training. Applications will undergo a two-tiered review, starting with peer review and followed by an advisory council’s evaluation. Applications are due on multiple dates each year until May 25, 2026.