NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 267

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 267

The NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-20-267, is a discretionary NIH grant designed to build strong, theme-driven research centers that accelerate progress in drug abuse and addiction science. Instead of funding a single stand-alone project, this opportunity supports a coordinated "center" structure that brings together multiple investigators who already hold research support from NIH and/or other federal and non-federal sources. The main idea is to make existing, ongoing research more effective and more connected by adding shared infrastructure (cores), deliberate integration across projects, and a unifying scientific vision that pushes the field in genuinely new directions.

A central expectation of this program is that the Center will do more than simply provide administrative support or incremental extensions of what is already being done. NIDA is looking for Centers that can transform knowledge in the scientific areas they target, meaning the application should make a clear case for why a Center structure will produce outcomes that individual labs working separately would be unlikely to achieve. The emphasis is on new and creative directions rather than small, routine steps forward. In practice, that means the application should describe a strong integrating theme (a clear scientific through-line) and show how the Center will actively connect and amplify currently funded projects to generate new insights, capabilities, collaborations, or innovations relevant to substance use, substance use disorders, addiction, and related public health challenges.

The "core" aspect is key. Applicants are expected to propose core activities that directly support and enhance the integrated research mission of the Center. Each core should be meaningfully tied to the Center's theme and should provide shared resources, expertise, services, or platforms that multiple participating investigators can use. These cores are meant to make the science better, faster, more rigorous, and more collaborative, whether that involves shared methods, data resources, specialized technologies, training and mentorship support, regulatory or operational support, or other centralized functions that increase overall productivity and impact. The Center is also expected to facilitate sharing of findings, data, and resources in ways that align with the program's goals, reinforcing the idea that a P30 Center should function as a collaborative hub rather than a collection of loosely affiliated projects.

Another major element is workforce development and engagement of new investigators. The opportunity explicitly expects the Center to provide research opportunities and experiences to new investigators, which typically translates into structured mentorship, access to shared cores and datasets, pilot opportunities or developmental activities (when allowed by the specific FOA design), and deliberate inclusion of early-career scientists in the intellectual life and outputs of the Center. The overall tone of the program is that Centers should raise the level of the science while also strengthening the pipeline of researchers working in drug abuse and addiction.

This funding opportunity is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning the mechanism can accommodate clinical trial-related activities when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not inherently required for all applicants. As with many NIH opportunities, the best fit depends on the Center's theme and the nature of the participating projects and cores.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and, notably, certain non-U.S. entities as well. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility signals NIDA's interest in fostering centers across varied institutional settings, including institutions serving underrepresented communities and organizations positioned to connect research with real-world needs.

Administrative details in the source information include the sponsoring agency as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the CFDA number 93.279, and the creation date of July 17, 2020. The original closing date listed is November 17, 2022. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided summary, which often means applicants need to consult the full FOA and NIH budget guidance for allowable costs, scope, and any institute-specific budgeting expectations.

Overall, this P30 opportunity is best understood as a way to formalize and supercharge an existing base of funded research by adding shared cores, strategic integration, and a forward-looking scientific agenda focused on drug abuse and addiction. Competitive applications are expected to show that the Center structure is essential to achieving outcomes that are innovative, collaborative, and field-shaping, while also strengthening the research community through resource sharing and meaningful opportunities for new investigators.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30 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 2020-07-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 20 267

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