The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invites applications for the HEAL Initiative: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K23 - Clinical Trial Required). This opportunity, coordinated through multiple NIH centers, including NIDA, NIAAA, and NIMH, aims to bolster a skilled workforce in implementation science for addressing the overdose crisis. Specifically, it supports early-career clinical researchers committed to developing expertise in implementation science through mentored research on patient-oriented studies related to substance use prevention and treatment. Applicants will engage in independent clinical trials designed to address one or more focus areas within the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy: prevention, treatment, harm reduction, or recovery.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) offers 3-5 years of support, including up to $100,000 per year in salary and an additional $50,000 annually for research expenses. The NIH anticipates funding up to six awards each fiscal year through a total budget of $1.1 million, shared between this K23 FOA and its companion FOA, the K01 Research Scientist Development Award. The awards support early career researchers who plan to lead independent clinical trials, ancillary studies, or clinical trial feasibility studies related to implementation science for substance use. Applicants not planning an independent clinical trial are encouraged to explore other NIH career development awards.

Eligible candidates must have a health-professional doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, PhD in clinical psychology or nursing) and foundational clinical experience in substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to implementation science for substance use treatment, a defined career development plan, and a mentorship arrangement. A minimum commitment of 75% effort (nine months per year) to the program is required. Eligible entities include U.S. higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, government bodies, and specific minority-serving institutions. The award is limited to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must also have an active SAM registration, UEI, eRA Commons account, and complete registration in Grants.gov.

The application process requires following the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide instructions, including a detailed Data Management and Sharing Plan. NIH provides resources through its ASSIST system, institutional S2S solutions, and Grants.gov Workspace. Applications undergo a dual-stage NIH review process, evaluating factors such as candidate experience, career development plan, research design, institutional support, and potential impact. NIH encourages applicants to engage in pre-application consultations to align their proposals with HEAL Initiative goals.

The next application due date is February 12, 2024, with subsequent deadlines every four months through October 12, 2025. Each cycle offers a structured review and award timeline, with the earliest start dates following the advisory council reviews. NIH encourages early submission to allow for any necessary corrections, and late submissions will follow NIH’s Late Submission Policy.

Successful candidates will have opportunities to participate in annual HEAL Investigators Meetings to foster collaboration and receive mentoring. NIH emphasizes team diversity and expects that funded research will contribute to broad public access to data, advancing scientific transparency and accelerating implementation solutions in addiction and overdose prevention.