Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 14 164
Apply for PA 14 164
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 26, 2014 and posted on Mar 26, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 7, 2017. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Independent school districts Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education County governments State governments Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) 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 Special district governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R03)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-14-164) was a discretionary grant program designed to support small, focused research projects that examine how cannabis use and exposure to cannabinoids affect brain development. The purpose of the announcement was to stimulate research that clarifies both the biological mechanisms and the longer-term functional outcomes associated with cannabis and cannabinoid exposure during sensitive developmental windows, spanning prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods through adolescence and into young adulthood. The FOA made clear that the developing brain is the central focus, and it encouraged applications that can meaningfully address developmental timing, vulnerability, and lasting consequences.
This program used the NIH Small Research Grant mechanism (R03), which is typically intended for shorter, tightly scoped studies that can generate preliminary data, test feasibility, develop new approaches, or address targeted questions without the scale of a larger multi-year project. Under this FOA, the award ceiling was listed as $100,000, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The activity falls under CFDA 93.279, which corresponds to Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs, aligning the opportunity with research priorities related to substance use and its health impacts.
In terms of scientific scope, the FOA emphasized two broad categories of interest. First, it highlighted studies aimed at understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms through which cannabis or specific cannabinoids may influence the developing brain. This could include work examining how cannabinoid exposure affects neural proliferation, synapse formation and pruning, neurotransmitter systems, receptor signaling (including endocannabinoid-related pathways), gene expression patterns, epigenetic regulation, neuroinflammation, myelination, and circuit-level development. Second, it encouraged research on long-term functional consequences, specifically calling out outcomes related to learning and memory as well as cognitive and emotional development. In practice, that could translate into studies assessing attention, executive function, motivation, reward processing, mood and anxiety-related behaviors, stress reactivity, social behavior, or other neurobehavioral domains that may be shaped by early exposure and become apparent later in adolescence or adulthood.
The FOA explicitly welcomed a range of research approaches and study populations, allowing investigations in both animal models and human subjects. Animal studies could be used to isolate exposure timing and dosage, examine specific cannabinoids or combinations, and directly measure brain changes using histology, electrophysiology, neurochemistry, or other lab-based methods. Human studies could address real-world patterns of cannabis use or exposure, including developmental timing and associated neurodevelopmental outcomes, potentially using neuroimaging, neurocognitive testing, longitudinal designs, or other observational and mechanistic approaches. The overall intent was to advance understanding of how exposure during development may translate into measurable differences in brain structure, brain function, and behavior over time.
Eligibility under PA-14-164 was broad and included many types of U.S. domestic applicants, such as state, county, city, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, with distinctions noted in the eligibility text); small businesses; and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The FOA also expanded eligibility to include a wide set of additional organizations and institution types, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. Importantly, the announcement permitted non-U.S. entities to apply: foreign organizations and foreign institutions were eligible, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations were eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) were allowed, signaling NIH interest in supporting scientifically strong projects regardless of geography when justified.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on March 26, 2014, with an original and current closing date listed as May 7, 2017, and an archive date of June 7, 2017, indicating that this specific FOA is no longer active for new submissions under that announcement. The sponsoring agency was NIH, and the full FOA text was made available through the NIH grants guide (linked in the announcement). For technical issues accessing the announcement or link problems, the contact provided was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
In plain terms, PA-14-164 supported smaller, well-defined projects aimed at answering a pressing set of developmental neuroscience questions: what cannabis or specific cannabinoids do to the developing brain, when the brain is most vulnerable, what biological changes occur at the molecular and cellular levels, and how those changes might show up later as differences in learning, memory, cognition, or emotional development. The grant structure was meant to make it feasible for a wide range of organizations to contribute rigorous, targeted evidence that could inform larger studies, prevention strategies, and a clearer understanding of developmental risk.
FAQs: NIH "Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R03)" (PA-14-164)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this NIH grant?
The funding opportunity is titled "Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R03)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PA-14-164.
What type of grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH Small Research Grant mechanism (R03), which is intended for small, focused, and tightly scoped research projects.
What is the main purpose of PA-14-164?
The purpose is to stimulate research that clarifies how cannabis use and exposure to cannabinoids affect brain development, including both underlying biological mechanisms and longer-term functional outcomes following exposure during sensitive developmental periods.
What is the central scientific focus of the announcement?
The developing brain is the central focus. The opportunity encouraged studies that address developmental timing, vulnerability, and lasting consequences of cannabis and cannabinoid exposure.
Which developmental time windows are covered by the FOA?
The FOA spans prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods through adolescence and into young adulthood, emphasizing sensitive developmental windows when the brain may be most vulnerable.
What kinds of projects are R03 awards generally meant to support under this FOA?
R03 projects are typically shorter and tightly scoped studies that can generate preliminary data, test feasibility, develop new approaches, or address targeted research questions without the scale of larger multi-year projects.
What is the award ceiling for this FOA?
The award ceiling listed for PA-14-164 is $100,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity, and what does it relate to?
The activity falls under CFDA 93.279, which corresponds to Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs.
What are the two broad scientific categories of interest described in the FOA?
The FOA emphasizes: (1) studies on molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cannabis or specific cannabinoids may influence the developing brain, and (2) research on long-term functional consequences of developmental exposure.
What kinds of molecular and cellular mechanisms did the FOA highlight?
Examples mentioned include effects on neural proliferation, synapse formation and pruning, neurotransmitter systems, receptor signaling (including endocannabinoid-related pathways), gene expression patterns, epigenetic regulation, neuroinflammation, myelination, and circuit-level development.
What long-term outcomes did the FOA explicitly call out?
The FOA specifically called out outcomes related to learning and memory, as well as cognitive and emotional development.
What are examples of functional or behavioral domains that studies could examine?
The FOA described domains such as attention, executive function, motivation, reward processing, mood and anxiety-related behaviors, stress reactivity, social behavior, and other neurobehavioral outcomes that may emerge later in adolescence or adulthood.
Are both animal and human studies allowed?
Yes. The FOA explicitly welcomed research approaches using both animal models and human subjects.
How might animal model studies fit within the FOA scope?
Animal studies could be used to isolate exposure timing and dosage, examine specific cannabinoids or combinations, and directly measure brain changes using methods such as histology, electrophysiology, neurochemistry, or other lab-based approaches.
How might human studies fit within the FOA scope?
Human studies could examine real-world patterns of cannabis use or exposure and associated neurodevelopmental outcomes, potentially using neuroimaging, neurocognitive testing, longitudinal designs, and other observational or mechanistic approaches.
What is the overall intent of the supported research?
The overall intent is to improve understanding of how developmental exposure to cannabis or cannabinoids may translate into measurable differences in brain structure, brain function, and behavior over time.
Who is eligible to apply (in general terms)?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. domestic applicants across government entities, educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses, along with a wide range of additional institution types specifically noted in the FOA.
Which U.S. government entities are listed as eligible applicants?
Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts and eligible federal agencies.
Are higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible, and does 501(c)(3) status matter?
Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status, with distinctions noted in the eligibility language of the FOA.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are eligible, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed among eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving and tribally controlled institutions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicants.
Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. The announcement permits non-U.S. entities to apply, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations allowed?
Yes. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible under the FOA.
Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy?
Yes. The FOA states that foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 26, 2014.
What were the listed closing and archive dates?
The original and current closing date was listed as May 7, 2017, and the archive date was June 7, 2017.
Is PA-14-164 still active for new submissions?
No. Based on the listed closing and archive dates, this specific FOA is no longer active for new submissions under that announcement.
Which agency sponsored this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Where was the full FOA text made available?
The full FOA text was made available through the NIH grants guide (as referenced in the announcement).
Who is the contact for technical issues accessing the announcement?
For technical issues (such as link problems), the contact provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
In plain terms, what kinds of questions was NIH trying to answer with this FOA?
The FOA aimed to support targeted research to understand what cannabis or specific cannabinoids do to the developing brain, when the brain is most vulnerable, what biological changes occur at molecular and cellular levels, and how those changes may appear later as differences in learning, memory, cognition, or emotional development.
What was the practical role of this R03 program in the broader research landscape?
The structure was intended to make smaller, well-defined projects feasible for a wide range of organizations, producing rigorous targeted evidence that could inform larger studies, prevention strategies, and clearer understanding of developmental risk.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 14 164) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R21) Apply for PA 14 162 Funding Number: PA 14 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Effects of Cannabis Use and Cannabinoids on the Developing Brain (R01) Apply for PA 14 163 Funding Number: PA 14 163 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Abuse (DP2) Apply for RFA DA 15 006 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Early Phase Clinical Trials in Imaging and Image Guided Interventions (R01) Apply for PAR 14 166 Funding Number: PAR 14 166 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Physical Sciences Oncology Centers (U54) Apply for PAR 14 169 Funding Number: PAR 14 169 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Avenir Award Program for Research on Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS (DP2) Apply for RFA DA 15 007 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Healthy Habits Timing for Developing Sustainable Healthy Behaviors in Children and Adolescents (R21) Apply for PA 14 176 Funding Number: PA 14 176 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Healthy Habits Timing for Developing Sustainable Healthy Behaviors in Children and Adolescents (R01) Apply for PA 14 177 Funding Number: PA 14 177 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| mHealth Tools for Underserved Populations with Chronic Conditions to Promote Effective Patient Provider Communication, Adherence to Treatment and Self Management (R01) Apply for PA 14 180 Funding Number: PA 14 180 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| mHealth Tools for Underserved Populations with Chronic Conditions to Promote Effective Patient Provider Communication, Adherence to Treatment and Self Management (R21) Apply for PA 14 181 Funding Number: PA 14 181 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (U01) Apply for PAR 14 184 Funding Number: PAR 14 184 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revisions to Add Biomedical Big Data Training to Active NLM Institutional Training Grants in Biomedical Informatics (T15) Apply for RFA HG 14 006 Funding Number: RFA HG 14 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA Core Center of Excellence Grant Program (P30) Apply for PAR 14 186 Funding Number: PAR 14 186 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2) Apply for RFA OD 14 004 Funding Number: RFA OD 14 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NLM Information Resource Grants to Reduce Health Disparities (G08) Apply for RFA LM 14 001 Funding Number: RFA LM 14 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Wild Horse and Burro Contraception Apply for L14AS00048 Funding Number: L14AS00048 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Chronic Wounds Advancing the Science from Prevention to Healing (R01) Apply for RFA NR 15 001 Funding Number: RFA NR 15 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Long Term Retention in Care for U.S. Substance Using Populations (R34) Apply for PA 14 222 Funding Number: PA 14 222 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Long Term Retention in Care for U.S. Substance Using Populations (R21) Apply for PA 14 223 Funding Number: PA 14 223 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Long Term Retention in Care for U.S. Substance Using Populations (R01) Apply for PA 14 224 Funding Number: PA 14 224 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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