Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award R25 | Apply Online

Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (R25) - FAQs

What is the Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (R25)?

The Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award (R25) is an NIH research education grant opportunity focused on improving public understanding of the neuroscience and biology of drug abuse and addiction. It supports the creation and testing of education programs and communication materials that explain how addiction affects the brain and body, why substance use disorders develop, and what science has learned about prevention, treatment, and recovery.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to fund practical, high-quality educational models and materials that translate accurate addiction science into engaging tools that reach real audiences and can be adopted or adapted by others. The emphasis is on program development and evaluation, not basic laboratory research.

Is this funding intended for basic research or for education and communication work?

This opportunity uses the NIH Research Education (R25) mechanism, which is intended for educational program development and related evaluation rather than traditional hypothesis-driven research grants. The focus is on building and testing educational and communication approaches, not conducting basic lab science.

What kinds of projects are a good fit for this award?

Projects that develop and test new education programs or communication materials about addiction neuroscience and biology are a good fit, especially when they address clear educational gaps and include an evaluation plan to demonstrate impact (for example, improved knowledge or reduced misconceptions).

What topics should the educational content cover?

Funded work is intended to explain the neuroscience and biology behind drug abuse and addiction, including how addiction affects the brain and body, why substance use disorders develop, and what scientific research shows about prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Who are the intended audiences for funded education and communication materials?

The intended audiences are broad and may include K-12 students, the general public, health care practitioners, and other community or professional groups. Applicants can tailor projects to the populations they serve, as long as the educational need is clear and the content is grounded in accurate neuroscience and addiction science.

Why does the opportunity emphasize partnerships?

Partnership is a major emphasis because NIH expects applicants to assemble teams that can translate solid scientific knowledge into educational tools that actually reach people. This often means combining expertise across science, education, communications, and community engagement to make materials both accurate and usable.

What types of partners might be included in an application?

Applications are expected to bring together relevant collaborators such as neuroscientists or addiction researchers, K-12 educators, curriculum designers, media and communications experts, community leaders, and other organizations positioned to help develop, deliver, and evaluate educational content.

What does it mean that projects must focus on "gaps"?

It means the work should address topics or approaches that are not already well covered by existing school curricula, public education campaigns, or community/media efforts. Applicants are encouraged to identify where misinformation persists, where audiences are underserved, or where available materials are outdated or ineffective.

Is evaluation required as part of the project?

Yes. Projects are expected not only to develop educational content but also to evaluate it. NIH is looking for evidence that the approach works, such as improving knowledge, correcting misconceptions, strengthening science understanding, or improving the ability of educators or practitioners to communicate addiction science accurately.

What types of outcomes might evaluation look for?

The opportunity specifically highlights outcomes such as improved knowledge, changes in misconceptions, stronger understanding of the science, and enhanced ability of educators or practitioners to communicate accurate addiction neuroscience and biology.

How much funding can an applicant request?

Applicants may request up to $250,000 per year in direct costs.

How long can a project last under this opportunity?

Projects may last up to 4 years.

Is funding guaranteed if an application is strong?

No. Awards depend on the availability of federal funds and the quality and competitiveness of the applications received. Funding is not guaranteed even for strong proposals if funds are limited or if the competition is large.

Is cost sharing or a matching contribution required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, state and local governments (including counties, cities, townships, and special district governments), nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and tribal entities.

Are specific institution types encouraged or explicitly included?

Yes. The eligibility language highlights inclusion of organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.

Can for-profit organizations apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profit entities, are listed among eligible applicants.

Can K-12-related entities apply?

Yes. Independent school districts are included among eligible applicants, and the program also anticipates partnerships that may involve K-12 educators and curriculum designers.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA associated with this award?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-08-145, and it is associated with CFDA 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs).

When was this opportunity originally posted?

The opportunity was originally posted on April 11, 2008.

Is this specific funding announcement still active?

No. The listing indicates this specific announcement is no longer active. It shows key dates including an original closing date of September 7, 2011, a listed current closing date of May 25, 2010, and an archive date of June 25, 2010.

Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full announcement was hosted by NIH Grants (the link points to the NIH guide page for PAR-08-145).

Who is listed as a contact for access or technical issues with the posting?

NIH's Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact information is included for access or technical issues related to the posting.