Fast Track Development of Medications to Treat Cannabis Use Disorders (UG3/UH3) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title and funding opportunity number for this NIH grant?

The opportunity is titled "Fast Track Development of Medications to Treat Cannabis Use Disorders (UG3/UH3)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 15-267.

What is the main purpose of PAR 15-267?

The purpose is to speed up the discovery and development of medications intended to treat Cannabis Use Disorders (CUDs). The program emphasizes moving promising medication candidates forward on a practical development path that supports the longer-term objective of eventual FDA approval.

What kinds of projects does this FOA aim to support?

It aims to support milestone-driven projects that advance promising medication candidates for CUDs, including novel compounds as well as already-marketed medications that could potentially be repurposed for treating Cannabis Use Disorders.

Why did NIH issue this funding opportunity?

The rationale described in the announcement is that scientific progress in understanding cannabinoid systems and marijuana's effects on the brain, combined with increased availability of novel compounds and repurposable marketed medications, created a strong opportunity to push pharmacotherapy development forward for CUDs.

What does the UG3/UH3 "fast-track" structure mean in this FOA?

The UG3/UH3 structure is a two-phase, milestone-based approach. The UG3 phase focuses on early planning and preparation. Projects may transition to the UH3 implementation phase only after meeting predefined benchmarks (go/no-go milestones).

Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?

This FOA used a cooperative agreement funding instrument. As described, cooperative agreements generally involve substantial involvement from the funding agency during the project period, such as ongoing scientific or programmatic collaboration and frequent progress reviews tied to milestone achievement.

How does NIH involvement typically show up during the project?

Based on the description provided, NIH involvement may include ongoing collaboration, frequent progress review, and close monitoring of whether a project is meeting the predefined go/no-go milestones needed to justify continuation and transition from UG3 to UH3.

What is the longer-term outcome the FOA is trying to enable?

The longer-term objective highlighted in the opportunity is eventual FDA approval of medications to treat Cannabis Use Disorders, supported by a practical, structured development pathway.

What grant category and activity area did this opportunity fall under?

The FOA was listed under the discretionary grant category. The activity category was listed as education and health.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity and what does it indicate?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.279, Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs. This indicates alignment with federal efforts addressing substance use disorders and addiction-related research priorities.

How many awards did NIH anticipate making, and what was the total estimated funding?

NIH anticipated making about three awards. The estimated total funding amount was $3,000,000.

What was the award ceiling for this FOA?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity was $1,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated that no cost sharing or matching was required, allowing applicants to build budgets around the scientific work rather than required matching funds.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included many types of U.S. organizations and governments, such as state, county, city or township, and special district governments; federally recognized and other tribal governments and tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Did the FOA specifically encourage applications from certain institution types?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly referenced historically underrepresented and mission-focused institutions and organizations, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, TCCUs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and AANAPISIs.

Could non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?

Yes. The eligibility description noted that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) could apply. It also referenced eligibility for regional organizations, faith-based or community-based organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Were any federal entities eligible to apply?

The eligibility description noted that certain federal entities could be eligible.

What were the key dates for this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on May 26, 2015, created on May 27, 2015, had a closing date of May 7, 2018, and was archived on June 7, 2018.

Is this opportunity still open for applications?

No. The closing date was May 7, 2018, and the opportunity was archived on June 7, 2018.

Where were applicants directed to find the full official details?

Applicants and interested parties were directed to the NIH Grants Guide posting for full details.

Who was listed as a contact for technical access or linking issues?

The opportunity provided NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts for technical access or linking issues.

What makes this FOA different from a typical single-phase research award?

Based on the description provided, a key difference is the structured UG3/UH3 fast-track design: projects begin in a planning/preparation phase (UG3) and only move into the implementation phase (UH3) after achieving predefined, milestone-based go/no-go benchmarks, with substantial NIH involvement typical of a cooperative agreement.