The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites applications for pilot and preliminary research under the R34 Planning Grant mechanism to support services research on the treatment of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders. This funding opportunity focuses on optimizing access, quality, effectiveness, affordability, and utilization of substance use disorder (SUD) treatments, including for comorbid medical and mental health conditions. Applications may explore innovative or commonly used approaches that lack an evidence base. The program encourages research that tests service delivery models, implementation strategies, or interventions across organizational, provider, and system levels.

The R34 mechanism is designed for studies preparing for larger-scale effectiveness trials. Allowable activities include testing study protocols, intervention feasibility, randomization methods, recruitment strategies, and preliminary data collection. Research must identify clear hypothesis-driven questions, anchored in a broader conceptual model, to inform subsequent R01-level trials. Applicants are expected to consider issues such as scalability, sustainability, health disparities, patient engagement, and stakeholder input, including perspectives of payers and community practitioners. Integration of implementation science or hybrid effectiveness-implementation designs is encouraged.

Areas of interest include novel and adapted service delivery models, strategies to improve engagement and retention in treatment, interventions to address stigma, integrated care for SUD and comorbid conditions, and approaches to improve linkages across care systems. The use of technology to deliver and personalize interventions is encouraged. Research may take place in various settings, including traditional healthcare environments, criminal justice systems, human services, pharmacies, pain clinics, and community-based organizations. Projects targeting underserved populations and addressing social determinants of health are highly encouraged.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, and foreign organizations. Foreign components of U.S.-based institutions are also eligible. Applications must include a *Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP)*, outlining actionable strategies to advance inclusivity and scientific merit. PEDP activities should emphasize partnerships, diverse collaborations, patient engagement, or workforce development.

The total budget for R34 awards is limited to $450,000 in direct costs over a three-year period, with no more than $225,000 in direct costs per year. Projects may not exceed three years. Applications must comply with all NIH submission policies and instructions, including requirements for a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Submissions are due on standard NIH R34 dates: February 16, June 16, and October 16 annually, with the final deadline on May 8, 2027.

Applications will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and investigator expertise, with specific attention to the PEDP’s role in enhancing scientific merit. Award decisions will consider scientific merit, program priorities, and available funds. Applicants are encouraged to contact NIDA program staff early in the application process to confirm alignment with program goals and priorities. For submission support, applicants must ensure all required registrations, such as eRA Commons and SAM.gov, are complete well in advance of the deadline.