Deadline: 25-Oct-2025
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has announced a new funding opportunity to support clinical research aimed at developing evidence-based treatment approaches for adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) that go beyond stimulant medications.
While stimulants remain a primary therapy for ADHD, many adults experience limited effectiveness, poor tolerability, or concerns related to dependence. This initiative seeks to explore nonstimulant medications, psychosocial interventions, and device-based treatments, either individually or in combination, as viable alternatives.
The program emphasizes clinical trials that not only assess treatment outcomes but also provide insight into mechanisms of action. Applicants must include strategies to measure how interventions engage their targeted mechanisms, evaluate the impact on mental health outcomes, and establish clear links between target engagement and treatment effects. Eligible studies may use monotherapy or stepped-care approaches and are expected to focus on adult participants who meet DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD. Consideration of age as a treatment moderator and inclusion of comorbid conditions are encouraged to reflect real-world settings.
In line with NIMH’s mission, this opportunity underscores the importance of reducing disparities in mental health care. Proposals are expected to address individual, social, and environmental challenges that may influence ADHD diagnosis, functioning, and treatment response. Research conducted in community practice settings such as primary care, college mental health clinics, or community mental health centers is strongly encouraged. Approaches that incorporate stakeholder perspectives—including patients, providers, and payers—are also prioritized to ensure interventions are both practical and scalable.
NIMH intends to commit $3 million in FY 2026 to support up to four awards, with projects lasting up to five years. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and faith-based or community-based organizations, among others.
By fostering innovation in treatment strategies beyond stimulant therapy, this initiative aims to transform the care of adults with ADHD and contribute to more inclusive, effective, and accessible mental health solutions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.