The "Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Drug Abuse Research" funding opportunity supports exploratory and developmental research addressing urgent, emerging issues in substance use and related health services. Managed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the program funds studies requiring accelerated review due to time-sensitive scientific questions, such as policy shifts or emerging public health crises. Eligible projects include pilot research on sudden spikes in drug use, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on drug markets, evaluations of new health care policies, and telehealth outcomes compared to in-person care. Emphasis is placed on collaborations with community partners, such as local health departments or justice systems, to address rapidly changing conditions.

This grant allows for direct costs up to $275,000 over two years, with no more than $200,000 allocated in any single year. The maximum project period is two years. The funding supports innovative partnerships and feasibility studies that can generate insights applicable beyond the immediate locality of study. Applicants must clearly justify the time-sensitive nature of their research and demonstrate how an expedited funding process is essential to achieving their objectives.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, local governments, and tribal organizations, among others. Applications from underrepresented groups, including those at minority-serving institutions, are particularly encouraged. Foreign institutions and components are not eligible. Researchers must register their institutions with systems such as Grants.gov and eRA Commons and meet NIH’s policy requirements, including compliance with data-sharing guidelines.

Applications must be prepared using SF424 (R&R) forms and submitted through designated electronic portals. Letters of intent are encouraged 30 days before the application due date but are not mandatory. Proposals should include a robust Data Management and Sharing Plan, as well as plans for compliance with human subjects and clinical trial protections if applicable.

Reviewers will assess applications based on significance, innovation, approach, investigator expertise, and feasibility within a time-sensitive framework. Proposals involving clinical trials will be evaluated on study design, statistical analysis, and plans for recruitment and data management. Successful applications will undergo a rapid review process with funding decisions made within six months of submission.

Key dates include application deadlines spaced throughout the year, with final submissions due by January 13, 2025. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with NIDA staff at least four weeks before submission to confirm project alignment with program priorities. Awards will be subject to NIH policies, including those on reporting and post-award monitoring, as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.