Imaging – Science Track Award for Research Transition (US)

Deadline: 07-Sep-24

The National Institutes of Health is pleased to announce Science Track Award for Research Transition that aims to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of neuroimaging, including both new investigators and established investigators seeking to adopt neuroimaging methodologies in their research programs, to enable the conduct of small “proof of concept” studies. The R03 is intended to support research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.

The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of brain imaging research, including both newly independent investigators and established investigators seeking to add brain imaging to their research programs. Accordingly, this FOA invites applications for the Imaging – Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) program, a continuing program developed by NIDA to foster the entry of investigators into the areas of brain imaging (e.g., PET and MRI scans) and substance use research.

This announcement seeks applications from all areas of research dealing with the clinical neurobiology of substance use and SUD and encompassing a wide array of research studies that incorporate brain imaging. It is important to note that research proposed under the I/START program need not be conducted in substance-using populations or involve drug administration; however, the potential relevance to understanding substance use and/or SUD must be clearly delineated.

Areas of interest that would allow preliminary data to be obtained within the I/START time and budget requirements include, but are not limited to:

The neurobiology of addiction and the assessment of structural, functional, or chemical alterations due to substance use and the addiction process.
Neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive constructs of relevance to SUD (e.g., motivated behavior, interoception).
Neurobiological basis of individual differences in response to addictive substances including differences in transition from substance use to addiction.
Neural mechanisms that promote or impede recovery and abstinence.
Assessment of neurobiological changes resulting from pharmacological and/or behavioral treatment for SUD.
Identification of developmental biobehavioral signatures that predict risk or resilience to SUD.
Neurobiological and neurobehavioral factors underlying comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Characterization of interactions between substance use/addiction and HIV infection in the brain.

Funding Information

Applicants may request direct costs of up to $150,000 for a period of one year only.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Organizations:

Higher Education Institutions

Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:

Hispanic-serving Institutions
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

For-Profit Organizations

Small Businesses
For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)

Local Governments

State Governments
County Governments
City or Township Governments
Special District Governments
Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)

Federal Governments

Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
U.S. Territory or Possession

Other

Independent School Districts

Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities

Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
Regional Organizations
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions)

Foreign Institutions