The NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30 Clinical Trial Optional), administered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a funding initiative aimed at advancing research on substance use, misuse, addiction, and HIV. This grant supports the establishment of Core Centers of Excellence, which bring together investigators with existing federal or non-federal funding to conduct interdisciplinary research in substance use and addiction. The program emphasizes innovative research approaches rather than incremental studies, aiming to transform the scientific field by fostering new insights and strategies. Centers are expected to develop robust infrastructures that support research cores, pilot projects, and other resources for both internal use and broader community access, with the goal of creating synergies and supporting new lines of inquiry within the field.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance and integrate current research activities across a spectrum of disciplines, including clinical, social, and behavioral research, as well as biological sciences. Centers are expected to provide administrative and technical resources that improve research quality, scope, and productivity. Applications should demonstrate how the proposed Core Center will encourage collaboration among scientists, bridge basic and applied research, and contribute to public health advancements. Importantly, each Center must include a Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives (PEDP) to ensure that diverse viewpoints are incorporated into the research, thus strengthening the overall impact and reach of the project. This plan is required and is reviewed as part of both the scientific and funding considerations.

Funding is unrestricted in budget but must be justified by the project’s actual needs. The maximum award duration is five years, and each Center must support a minimum of three separate, federally funded research projects, led by at least two distinct Program Directors/Principal Investigators. Centers are also required to support core facilities and pilot projects to enhance collaborative research efforts. The core facilities may include resources such as administrative support, laboratories, statistical analysis, and database management, while pilot projects should focus on experimental approaches or new research directions that address gaps in the substance use research field. Pilot projects may also serve as entry points for new investigators or seasoned researchers looking to redirect their focus to substance use research.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), certain nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and state, local, and tribal governments. Foreign institutions are ineligible to apply, though non-domestic components of U.S.-based organizations may participate. Applications must follow the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and adhere to both standard NIH guidelines and specific program instructions. A letter of intent is recommended 30 days before the application deadline. Each application must also include detailed plans for the administrative core, research support cores, and a pilot research project core, along with necessary documentation of existing facilities and resources.

Evaluation criteria will prioritize the Center’s scientific impact, innovation, approach, and environment, along with the effectiveness of proposed administrative, research, and pilot cores. Reviewers will assess each Center’s potential to enhance substance use research infrastructure, support collaboration, and advance knowledge on substance use disorder and addiction. Applications are evaluated through NIH’s peer review process, and reviewers will consider factors such as significance, innovation, approach, environment, and plans for incorporating diverse perspectives. Awards are based on the availability of funds, scientific merit, and program priorities.

Key dates include application submission windows on September 25 each year through 2025, with reviews and potential awards following within the first half of each calendar year. The earliest project start date is approximately ten months after submission, allowing time for review and award determination processes. For questions or additional guidance, applicants may contact NIH representatives, including scientific, peer review, and financial/grants management contacts, as listed in the funding announcement.