The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is planning to release a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled “Accelerating the Pace of Substance Use Research Using Existing Data.” This grant opportunity, anticipated under number NOT-DA-24-047, aims to fund projects that utilize existing data to advance research on substance use, without requiring new data collection or clinical trials. The initiative will use the R21 grant mechanism, which supports exploratory and developmental research, and will focus on projects leveraging already available datasets to address pressing questions in substance use research. The FOA is scheduled for publication on December 1, 2024, with applications due by June 17, 2025. Funded projects are set to commence on April 1, 2026.

This program seeks innovative approaches to explore and analyze existing datasets to generate new insights in substance use and addiction. By promoting studies that repurpose existing data, NIDA aims to encourage faster, cost-effective research progress, allowing researchers to bypass data collection processes and focus on data analysis and interpretation. This emphasis on existing data use is expected to support a broad range of research questions, from understanding the epidemiology of substance use disorders to examining risk factors, treatment outcomes, and policy impacts.

NIDA anticipates issuing up to three awards with a total program funding of $2 million. Each award will have a ceiling of $200,000, and cost-sharing or matching funds are not required, offering applicants flexibility in budget planning. Eligible applicants include a wide array of entities: public and private higher education institutions, state and local governments, federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribal organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations.

This FOA underscores NIDA’s commitment to fostering efficient, impactful research through data reuse. By focusing on existing data, the program encourages applications that can maximize the value of prior investments in data collection and advance substance use research quickly. Interested researchers are encouraged to start forming collaborations and identifying suitable datasets that align with their research goals. The R21 mechanism is particularly suited for high-risk, high-reward research, and this FOA provides a promising opportunity for innovative projects that can offer novel perspectives on substance use and addiction.

Potential applicants should monitor NIH and NIDA announcements for the formal FOA publication. Proposals should emphasize resourcefulness in data analysis and clearly outline how the use of existing data will advance understanding and inform interventions for substance use disorders.