The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (U10) | Apply Online

FAQs: National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) (U10) - RFA-DA-10-009

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) (U10) cooperative agreement competition, identified as RFA-DA-10-009. It is sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

2) What is the main goal of the CTN program described here?

The central goal is translational research in addiction treatment: taking promising treatment approaches and testing them rigorously in real-world, community-based clinical practice. The intent is to validate effective interventions and support their broad adoption by addiction treatment providers across the United States.

3) What kinds of research does CTN emphasize?

The CTN emphasizes research that can realistically be implemented in typical community addiction services. Studies are meant to be clinically relevant, feasible in real-world settings, and positioned for dissemination and sustained use if they are shown to work.

4) Is this meant to be academic research only?

No. A key emphasis is that studies are not intended to be isolated academic exercises. Research is developed cooperatively with organizations and practitioners who actually deliver care, including community-based addiction service providers and other health professionals who treat patients with addiction problems.

5) How is the CTN structured in practice?

The program is described as a nationwide partnership linking treatment providers, clinical researchers, and NIDA staff into a coordinated research enterprise focused on improving outcomes for patients with substance use disorders.

6) What does the CTN mission include, according to the announcement?

The mission is to test, validate, refine, and help deliver effective and efficient treatment options for substance use disorders that can be implemented in community addiction services.

7) What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U10). This generally indicates substantial federal scientific or programmatic involvement compared to a standard grant, with awardees working closely with NIDA staff in planning and executing clinical trials and related network activities.

8) What does “substantial federal involvement” mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, it means awardees typically collaborate closely with NIDA staff while planning and carrying out clinical trials and network activities, reflecting shared responsibility and the CTN’s network-based structure.

9) Are both new and renewal applications allowed?

Yes. The announcement explicitly allows both new applications and renewal applications. This means existing CTN participants could recompete to continue their role, and new investigator groups could apply to join and contribute expertise and clinical trial infrastructure.

10) How much funding was anticipated, and how many awards were expected?

For FY2010, NIDA anticipated approximately $13.5 million in total costs to support up to 12 awards under this announcement.

11) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA program number listed is 93.279, titled Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed. This typically indicates applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types capable of supporting clinical trials and participation in a research network. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations, small businesses (also listed), public and private institutions of higher education, and various government entities.

14) What types of government entities are included in eligibility?

State and local governments are included, such as county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments. Independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are also listed.

15) Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility language.

16) Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included.

17) Are specific institution types (like HBCUs or Hispanic-serving institutions) mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The eligibility information highlights inclusion of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and other categories.

18) Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically mentioned among eligible applicants.

19) Are federal agencies eligible?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included in the eligibility language.

20) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as discretionary funding with an education/health activity category, consistent with a program centered on clinical research and dissemination of evidence-based addiction treatment practices.

21) What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The opportunity was posted on June 1, 2009. The original and current closing date listed is November 2, 2009. The archive date is December 3, 2009.

22) Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full announcement was hosted through the NIH grants guide, according to the information provided.

23) Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is NIH, via NIDA.

24) What kinds of partners does the CTN aim to involve?

The program is designed to link treatment providers, clinical researchers, and NIDA staff. It also emphasizes cooperation with community-based addiction service providers and other health professionals treating patients with addiction problems.

25) Why does CTN focus on community-based settings?

The stated purpose is to ensure research questions are clinically relevant, study designs are feasible in typical practice environments, and successful interventions can be disseminated and sustained rather than staying confined to specialized research settings.

26) What kind of support or assistance contacts are mentioned?

Support contacts are described as being provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster channels for access or linking issues.