The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), invites applications under the R01 Research Project Grant mechanism for the “Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV-Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial and/or Ethnic Populations” program. This funding opportunity, aligned with NIDA’s Racial Equity Initiative (REI), seeks to support research addressing structural, social, cultural, and contextual factors that contribute to HIV and substance use disparities among underserved racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. The FOA is open to observational and intervention studies focusing on health inequities impacted by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other intersecting identities. Applications are due annually on November 14, with funding cycles beginning in July of the following year. The expiration date for this FOA is November 15, 2024.

The program’s objectives include stimulating innovative research that informs efforts to reduce health disparities in HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment among minority populations. Research areas of interest span a range of social and structural topics, such as the impact of discrimination, bias in healthcare settings, and systemic inequities (e.g., housing segregation and access to health resources). Proposed studies may include observational research to understand mechanisms behind these disparities or intervention research that tests novel, community-driven solutions to improve health equity. Studies that utilize existing datasets, incorporate community engagement, and propose replicable, scalable interventions will be prioritized. Each study must involve at least 50% of participants from underserved racial and/or ethnic minority populations in the U.S., with additional emphasis on sexual and gender minority communities where relevant.

Eligible organizations for this grant include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, tribal governments, and various local and state government entities within the U.S. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are ineligible. Applicants must register with necessary federal systems, including SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, prior to submission. Applications must include a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP), which details strategies to foster inclusivity in research, along with letters of support from community partners, where applicable.

Proposals will be evaluated on scientific merit, with consideration given to the project’s potential impact, innovation, approach, and commitment to inclusivity. Applications must adhere to the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the NIH FORMS-H submission guidelines. Specific criteria for clinical trials, if included, will assess study design, recruitment and retention plans, ethical considerations, and data management protocols. The review process involves initial peer review and subsequent evaluation by the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse, with funding decisions based on scientific merit, available funds, and alignment with program priorities.

Award budgets are not capped but must align with the project’s needs, and the maximum project period is five years. NIDA intends to allocate $3 million for approximately 5-9 awards under this FOA and its companion FOA for planning grants (RFA-DA-23-062). All funded projects are expected to collaborate with the REI’s Coordination, Engagement, and Dissemination Center, which provides resources for community engagement, data management, and dissemination. Researchers are encouraged to utilize resources like the PhenX Toolkit to ensure data consistency across studies and are required to use a standard unit of delta-9-THC in cannabis-related research.

This FOA advances NIDA’s mission to promote racial equity and health disparities research, with an emphasis on actionable, sustainable solutions for historically underserved communities. Applications should clearly demonstrate community engagement, specify end-user partnerships, and emphasize culturally competent research practices.