Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 267
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Functional Validation and/or Characterization of Genes or Variants Implicated in Substance Use Disorders (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number PAR-24-267 (CFDA 93.279). The central goal is to fund research that uses genome editing and/or epigenome editing approaches to test whether specific genes or genetic variants actually play a causal or mechanistic role in substance use disorder (SUD)-relevant traits and biology. In plain terms, the program is aimed at moving beyond genetic association findings (for example, signals from GWAS or other genomic studies) and pushing projects toward functional evidence that a particular gene, regulatory element, or variant changes neurobiology in ways that matter for addiction-related phenotypes.
A key emphasis of this opportunity is functional validation and characterization. Projects are expected to use modern perturbation tools, such as CRISPR-based genome editing or epigenome editing, to manipulate candidate genes or variants and then measure meaningful outcomes tied to SUD biology. The intent is to generate strong, experimentally grounded insight into neurobiological mechanisms that influence vulnerability, progression, or other relevant dimensions of substance use disorders. This foundational mechanistic work is positioned as a pipeline step that can ultimately support future prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics, even though the solicitation itself does not allow clinical trials.
The funding mechanism is an R21/R33 phased innovation award. In general, that structure supports an initial exploratory or feasibility phase (R21) followed by a second phase (R33) that expands the work if predefined milestones are met. This kind of design is commonly used when early proof-of-concept is needed before scaling into deeper characterization, larger experiments, broader validation, or more extensive resource generation. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $125,000, and the agency anticipates making multiple awards (the total number is not specified in the provided source text).
Another major expectation is broad sharing of research outputs, particularly any genetic resources that are created. The announcement explicitly states that genetic resources generated through supported projects are expected to be made widely available to the scientific community. This reflects a community-building goal: enabling other researchers to interrogate SUD-relevant neurobiology using shared reagents, engineered lines, constructs, edited models, or other tools produced through these awards. The broader availability requirement is meant to amplify impact beyond the original funded lab by accelerating follow-on studies and replication.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed in the source include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional eligible entities categorized as "others." The opportunity also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide net is consistent with NIH interest in drawing on diverse institutional strengths and expanding participation across different research settings.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding agency is NIH, the opportunity category is discretionary, and the funding instrument is a grant. The original closing date listed is 2025-07-28, and the opportunity was created on 2024-08-06. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as targeted support for cutting-edge functional genomics and epigenomics experiments that can decisively test the biological relevance of implicated genes or variants in substance use disorders, while also producing shareable tools that speed progress across the field.Apply for PAR 24 267
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Functional Validation and/or Characterization of Genes or Variants Implicated in Substance Use Disorders (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-08-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Functional Validation and/or Characterization of Genes or Variants Implicated in Substance Use Disorders (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-24-267.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.279.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The funding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding is this (category and instrument)?
The opportunity category is discretionary, and the funding instrument is a grant.
What is the central goal of this program?
The central goal is to fund research that uses genome editing and/or epigenome editing approaches to test whether specific genes or genetic variants play a causal or mechanistic role in substance use disorder (SUD)-relevant traits and biology.
What kind of research is this opportunity trying to move beyond?
It is meant to move beyond genetic association findings (for example, signals from GWAS or other genomic studies) by supporting projects that generate functional evidence that a particular gene, regulatory element, or variant affects neurobiology in ways that matter for addiction-related phenotypes.
What is meant by "functional validation and characterization" in this announcement?
It refers to experimentally testing and describing the biological effects of candidate genes or variants using modern perturbation tools (such as CRISPR-based genome editing or epigenome editing) and measuring meaningful outcomes tied to SUD biology.
What approaches or tools are emphasized for proposed studies?
The announcement emphasizes genome editing and/or epigenome editing approaches, including CRISPR-based perturbation tools, to manipulate candidate genes or variants and then evaluate SUD-relevant outcomes.
What kinds of outcomes does NIH want applicants to measure?
The focus is on outcomes that are meaningfully tied to SUD biology, with the intent of producing experimentally grounded insight into neurobiological mechanisms that influence vulnerability, progression, or other relevant dimensions of substance use disorders.
How does this funding opportunity connect to prevention, diagnostics, or therapeutics?
The solicitation supports foundational mechanistic work intended to be a pipeline step that can ultimately support future prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics, even though the projects funded under this announcement do not include clinical trials.
Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?
No. The opportunity is explicitly designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed."
What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses an R21/R33 phased innovation award mechanism.
How does the R21/R33 phased mechanism work at a high level?
It supports an initial exploratory or feasibility phase (R21), followed by a second phase (R33) that expands the work if predefined milestones are met.
Why use an R21/R33 structure for this topic area?
The phased design is commonly used when early proof-of-concept is needed before scaling into deeper characterization, larger experiments, broader validation, or more extensive resource generation.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $125,000.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The announcement indicates NIH anticipates making multiple awards, but the total number is not specified in the provided information.
Is sharing of research outputs expected?
Yes. A major expectation is broad sharing of research outputs, particularly any genetic resources created through supported projects.
What kinds of resources are expected to be shared?
Genetic resources generated through supported projects are expected to be made widely available to the scientific community. Examples mentioned include reagents, engineered lines, constructs, edited models, or other tools produced through these awards.
Why does the announcement emphasize making genetic resources widely available?
The intent is to amplify the impact beyond the original funded lab by enabling other researchers to interrogate SUD-relevant neurobiology using shared tools, thereby accelerating follow-on studies and replication.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations as well as certain non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
Are state or local government entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city/township governments, as well as special district governments.
Are public and private colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are independent school districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments are also listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible, and does 501(c)(3) status matter?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are included as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly called out among eligible applicant types.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed among additional eligible applicant types.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or included?
The eligibility list explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and related categories.
Are eligible federal agencies able to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the additional eligible applicant types listed.
What is the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2025-07-28.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2024-08-06.
In one sentence, what is this opportunity best understood as supporting?
It supports cutting-edge functional genomics and epigenomics experiments that can decisively test the biological relevance of implicated genes or variants in substance use disorders, while also producing shareable tools that speed progress across the field.
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| The Confluence of Cancer Stigma and HIV Stigma in HIV-positive Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 25 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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