Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 226

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 226

The Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-226, is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity administered through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The program is built around the idea of investing in the "future" of the field (avenir is French for "future") by backing early stage investigators who are ready to pursue bold, high-impact ideas in the genetics or epigenetics of substance use disorders, even if they do not yet have the kind of extensive preliminary data that is often expected for a standard R01 application. The emphasis is on unusually innovative research directions and on identifying investigators who show strong potential to become leaders in substance use disorder research.

This opportunity is specifically focused on advancing knowledge about genetic and epigenetic factors that shape substance use disorders, including mechanisms, risk, resilience, and other biological underpinnings that could ultimately inform prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The activity code is DP1, which is commonly associated with high-risk, high-reward style awards, and the notice indicates that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose studies with or without a clinical trial component depending on what best fits their scientific aims.

A wide range of U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply. Eligibility spans multiple levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), public and independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible across the spectrum, including public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are also included, such as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The program is open to nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and it also allows applications from for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and from small businesses, as well as other eligible applicant types.

The announcement highlights additional categories of eligible applicants that NIDA encourages, reflecting an interest in broad participation and capacity building across diverse institutions and communities. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal government agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, there are clear restrictions on foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed.

From the listing details provided, the opportunity falls under CFDA number 93.279 (NIH/NIDA-related assistance listings). The original closing date shown is 2018-10-19, and the record creation date is 2017-11-30, indicating this is a historical posting rather than a newly opened competition. The award ceiling listed is $300,000, which signals the maximum amount referenced in the summary record; applicants would still need to follow the full funding announcement for precise budget structure, allowable costs, and project period expectations. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided source data.

In practical terms, this funding opportunity is designed for early career researchers with genuinely novel ideas in substance use disorder genetics or epigenetics who may be at a stage where they have strong conceptual grounding and a compelling research plan, but not the extensive pilot evidence that traditional mechanisms often require. It is positioned as a launch point for transformative projects and for building the next generation of research leadership in this area.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Avenir Award Program for Genetics or Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-10-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 18 226

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