International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the International Research Collaboration on Drug Abuse and Addiction Research (R01) opportunity?

It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant announcement supporting full-scale, investigator-initiated research projects using the R01 mechanism that include meaningful collaboration with partners outside the United States. The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number (FON) PA-12-040.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The goal is to support drug abuse and addiction research that becomes possible, stronger, or faster because of something uniquely available in another country. This can include specialized scientific expertise, distinctive research resources, access to specific patient or community populations, or environmental and policy conditions that cannot be easily studied within the U.S.

Which agency sponsors this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The scientific mission alignment for the announcement is specifically tied to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

What grant mechanism is used?

This opportunity uses the R01 mechanism and is intended for full-scale, investigator-initiated research projects.

Is international collaboration required, or is an international site optional?

The announcement is aimed at projects where the international setting is not incidental. The international collaboration is expected to provide a genuine scientific advantage, rather than simply adding a foreign site to an otherwise standard U.S.-based plan.

What kinds of international advantages does NIH/NIDA expect applicants to leverage?

The announcement emphasizes advantages that are uniquely available outside the U.S., such as distinctive expertise, resources, existing cohorts, clinical infrastructure, access to rare or hard-to-recruit populations, and the ability to study addiction within different drug markets, regulatory environments, or policy conditions.

What types of research topics does this program support?

It supports drug abuse and addiction research aligned with NIDA’s mission. The announcement also encourages applicants, when feasible, to connect proposed studies to NIDA scientific priority areas, which can shift year to year.

What priority topics were highlighted for FY2012 in the announcement?

The description highlights (as FY2012 examples) research on linkages between HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, and nicotine/tobacco research focused on prevention, initiation, and treatment of nicotine and tobacco use. It also notes particular attention to vulnerable populations such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, and individuals with co-morbid disorders.

Does the announcement suggest a specific type of research approach (biomedical vs. public health)?

The examples indicate interest in both biomedical and public health dimensions of addiction, particularly where international work can reveal new mechanisms, risk factors, or intervention strategies.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is not required, meaning applicants are not expected to contribute a set amount of non-federal funds as a condition of the award.

When was the opportunity posted, and is it still active?

The announcement was posted on November 29, 2011. The record indicates an original closing date of January 7, 2015, a current closing date of March 17, 2015, and an archive date of April 17, 2015. Based on these dates, the announcement is no longer active as written and remains as a reference point for the program’s intent and eligibility framework during that period.

What types of U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and multiple levels of government (state, county, city or township), as well as independent school districts and special district governments.

Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility language explicitly includes faith-based and community-based organizations among eligible applicants.

Are minority-serving institutions and tribally affiliated institutions included in eligibility?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and regional organizations.

Can foreign (non-U.S.) institutions apply?

Yes. The eligibility language states that non-U.S. entities (foreign institutions) are eligible to apply.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement specifies that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible.

Are foreign components allowed under this opportunity?

Yes. Foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and the structure is intended to facilitate legitimate cross-border collaborations where key research activities, infrastructure, or leadership may be outside the United States.

What does the announcement suggest about how to choose an international research setting?

It suggests selecting an international setting because it provides a clear scientific advantage, such as allowing the study of addiction patterns in different drug markets or regulatory environments, leveraging cohorts or clinical infrastructure that already exist abroad, or accessing populations that are rare or difficult to recruit domestically.

How does this opportunity relate to NIDA priorities?

The program is aligned with NIDA’s mission and encourages applicants, when feasible, to connect the proposed studies to NIDA scientific priority areas. The announcement notes that these priorities can change from year to year.

Where was the full announcement made available?

The full announcement was made available through the NIH Grants Guide (as referenced in the source information).

Who provides support for technical access or linking issues related to the announcement?

NIH’s Office of Extramural Research (OER) provided support contacts for technical access and linking issues via the OER webmaster email addresses listed in the source information.

How is this opportunity categorized administratively?

It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity under health and education activity categories.

What is the key takeaway about what makes a project competitive for this type of program (based on the description)?

The central theme is that the international collaboration should materially improve the science by enabling research that would not be feasible, would be weaker, or would take longer without the international partner(s) and setting.