The D-START: Data Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03-Clinical Trial Optional) is a funding opportunity issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse under the National Institutes of Health. This program supports investigators who apply advanced data science methodologies to address critical and timely research questions related to substance use and substance use disorder. It encourages the use of cutting-edge techniques, such as machine learning, big data analytics, and computational tools, to generate insights and guide the prevention, treatment, and recovery needs for diverse populations.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to promote the use of advanced data science techniques to address complex aspects of substance use and substance use disorders. Eligible research topics include developing predictive models for substance use disorder risk, employing clustering algorithms to identify subtypes of substance use disorder, conducting analyses of neurobiological mechanisms underlying polysubstance use, and creating computational tools for analyzing large-scale or multimodal datasets. Investigators are encouraged to utilize existing datasets from sources such as the National Addiction and HIV Data Archive Program, NIDA Clinical Trials Network, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, and other NIH-supported repositories. Projects that do not apply advanced data science methodologies or focus solely on alcohol-related outcomes are considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed.

The funding opportunity will support six to seven projects annually, with a total annual budget of one million dollars across fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, contingent upon available funds. Applicants may request up to one hundred thousand dollars in direct costs per year for a maximum project period of two years. Future funding decisions will depend on the availability of funds and the merit of the applications received.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, tribal entities, state and local governments, public housing authorities, and foreign organizations. Both domestic and international research endeavors are permitted. Organizations may submit multiple applications as long as each is scientifically distinct. All applicants must complete necessary registrations, including the System for Award Management, NATO Commercial and Government Entity code for foreign organizations, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov.

Applications must follow the NIH Application Guide and comply with the instructions in the notice of funding opportunity. Proposals must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan. Applications are due on standard NIH submission dates, including October 16, 2024, February 16, 2025, June 16, 2025, and subsequent cycles through 2027. All applications must be submitted electronically, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Applications will be reviewed based on their scientific significance, innovation, feasibility, investigator qualifications, and alignment with program goals. The review process will also consider the use of rigorous and unbiased methodologies, the soundness of the approach, and the potential impact on advancing data science applications to substance use disorder research. Successful projects are expected to provide findings that serve as the basis for subsequent grant applications, such as R01 proposals, focused on the intersection of data science and substance use disorder research.

For additional information, program inquiries can be directed to Susan Wright, Ph.D., or Janet Kuramoto-Crawford, Ph.D., at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Questions regarding financial management should be addressed to Ericka Wells. This funding opportunity reflects NIDA’s commitment to advancing research through data-driven approaches to address substance use and substance use disorders.