The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has reissued the *Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START)* (R03-Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required), under the R03 Small Grant Program. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supports small, "proof-of-concept" brain imaging research related to substance use and substance use disorder (SUD). The goal is to facilitate the entry of investigators into neuroimaging research, including both new and established researchers. The FOA supports studies that utilize imaging techniques like PET and MRI to advance understanding of neurobiological mechanisms in substance use, addiction, and recovery, or to develop new imaging tools relevant to this field. The research must involve clinical trials and address human neurobiology in relation to SUD, but need not involve substance-using populations directly.

The award provides funding up to $150,000 in direct costs for a maximum one-year project. The R03 mechanism is intended for small-scale projects, allowing for the rapid generation of preliminary imaging data, which can later support larger grant applications. Research areas of interest include the neurobiology of addiction, the impact of substance use on brain function, and neurobiological factors influencing recovery and treatment responses. Studies may also explore cognitive or developmental processes related to SUD, and interactions between substance use and other conditions, such as HIV.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (both public and private), non-profits, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and foreign entities. Individuals with the necessary skills and resources to lead the proposed research, including those from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. The FOA does not require cost-sharing, and multiple submissions from the same institution are allowed as long as each application is scientifically distinct.

Applications must follow NIH’s detailed submission instructions, using the NIH ASSIST system or Grants.gov. All necessary institutional registrations, including eRA Commons and System for Award Management (SAM), must be completed well in advance of the deadline. Compliance with the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide is strictly enforced. Non-compliant applications will not be reviewed. The submission deadlines follow NIH’s standard dates, and applicants are encouraged to submit early to allow time for error correction. The next application deadlines are February 16, 2024, and subsequent deadlines continue into 2025.

Applications will be reviewed based on their scientific merit, the relevance of the proposed research, and the potential to advance the field of neuroimaging in SUD research. The review process will consider factors such as the significance of the research question, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and the project environment. For clinical trials, additional factors like study design, ethical considerations, data management, and participant safety will be evaluated.

The anticipated start dates for funded projects begin approximately four to six months after submission, depending on the review cycle. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project ideas with program staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with NIDA’s objectives. This FOA provides a unique opportunity for investigators to contribute to the understanding of substance use and its neurobiological underpinnings through advanced imaging techniques.