NIDA Comprehensive Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P60) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIDA Comprehensive Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P60)

What is the NIDA Comprehensive Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P60)?

It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that supports the creation and long-term operation of high-impact research centers focused on drug abuse and addiction.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The program is designed to build and sustain multidisciplinary research centers that work under a single, clearly defined scientific theme, where the combined center effort produces outcomes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through separate, individual projects.

What makes this a “center” grant rather than a set of separate research projects?

A central expectation is that the center structure is scientifically necessary, not just administrative. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that coordination, shared infrastructure, and integrated planning across projects are essential to accomplishing the proposed research.

What kind of science is NIDA looking to fund through this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes outstanding, innovative science rather than incremental or routine extensions of existing research. NIDA is looking for creative, forward-looking approaches with the potential to transform understanding within the chosen area of drug abuse and addiction research.

How broad is the scientific scope for proposed research?

The scope is broad as long as the work is directly relevant to NIDA’s mission in drug abuse and addiction research. The program allows proposals that fall anywhere within NIDA’s mission, provided they remain cohesive around a central theme.

Do the projects within the center need to be related to each other?

Yes. Each individual research project must have an essential relationship to the center’s integrating theme and contribute to unified scientific goals. The program is not intended to support a loose collection of unrelated studies.

What does “multidisciplinary” mean in the context of this center program?

The center is expected to bring together multiple disciplines and demonstrate true integration across them. Examples of relevant domains mentioned include basic science, clinical research, prevention, epidemiology, behavioral science, neuroscience, genetics, implementation, and health services, among other areas tied to the coherent theme.

What does NIDA mean by “synergy” in this program?

Synergy refers to the idea that the center’s integrated approach should achieve more than separate projects could on their own. The combined structure, shared resources, and coordinated planning should enable outcomes that are difficult or impossible for isolated efforts.

Is there an expectation that funded centers serve the broader research community?

Yes. A defining feature is the expectation that funded centers will function as national resources for NIDA-related research fields. This implies contributing leadership, methods, tools, expertise, or other community-serving value that elevates the broader research community, beyond typical outputs like publications or datasets.

What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant using the P60 center model (a center grant mechanism).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) and title?

The FOA number is PAR-08-086, titled "NIDA Comprehensive Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P60)."

Which CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

It is listed under the Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs CFDA number 93.279.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on December 4, 2008.

What are the key closing and archive dates provided?

The information provided lists an original closing date of May 7, 2010, a then-current closing date of January 7, 2010, and an archive date of February 7, 2010.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No. The opportunity specifies no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many institution and organization types, such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (including those other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, state governments, and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations.

Are minority-serving institutions explicitly included in the eligibility list?

Yes. The eligibility information explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), among others described in the announcement.

Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility information explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations.

Are regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly included in the eligibility information.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among eligible applicants, as described in the announcement.

Where can applicants find the official funding announcement text?

The full official text is linked through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-086.html.

Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?

The provided support contacts are the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster addresses for access or linking issues, indicating technical difficulties with the electronic announcement are handled through NIH OER support (based on the excerpted information provided).