Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 298
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Substance Use Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-24-298) is designed to support fast-moving, short-term pilot, feasibility, or exploratory studies that have to happen quickly in order to be scientifically useful. The central idea is that certain substance use problems, policy shifts, service system changes, or public safety developments can unfold so rapidly that a traditional grant timeline would miss the window to collect critical data. Because of that, applicants need to make a strong case that the question they want to answer is genuinely time-sensitive and that rapid review and funding are necessary to capture information that will soon be unavailable or substantially altered by events such as imminent policy implementation or sudden changes in drug supply and harms.
The NOFO focuses on substance use epidemiology and health services research, and it highlights five priority areas where urgent research opportunities often arise. First, it supports studies responding to sudden and severe emerging drug issues, such as an abrupt spike in overdoses or a rapid increase in use of a specific substance like opioids or synthetic cannabinoids within a particular community. Second, it supports research on emerging marijuana trends, especially as marijuana laws and regulations continue to shift across jurisdictions and create new, time-bound natural experiments. Third, it invites proposals addressing unexpected and time-sensitive prescription drug misuse research opportunities, for example when a state, county, or local government launches a new initiative, implements a new rule, or changes monitoring and prescribing practices in a way that creates a short-lived chance to evaluate impact. Fourth, it supports studies tied to unexpected and time-sensitive medical system issues, including opportunities to understand how addiction prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services are delivered as the health care system evolves (such as changes in coverage, care delivery models, or integration of services). Fifth, it includes time-sensitive criminal or juvenile justice-related opportunities, particularly when new system-level or structural changes affect drug use patterns, access to evidence-based care, diversion programs, reentry services, or the availability of health care services for justice-involved populations.
This award uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which generally aligns with early-stage, exploratory work intended to generate foundational evidence, test methods, or establish feasibility rather than to fund large, multi-year definitive trials. The listing notes "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning clinical trials are not required, but may be proposed if they are appropriate for the rapid, exploratory aims and fit NIH requirements. The opportunity falls under the NIH assistance listing CFDA number 93.279, and it is categorized as a discretionary grant within education and health-related funding activities. The posted original closing date is 2027-09-09.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the categories specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly restricts non-U.S. participation: 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.
In practical terms, the program is aimed at applicants who can move quickly, leverage real-time or near-real-time data sources, and execute a focused study during a narrow window when conditions are changing. Competitive proposals will typically define a specific urgent event or impending change, explain why waiting for standard review would undermine the research, and describe an efficient, feasible plan to collect and analyze data in time to inform public health response, service delivery decisions, or policy implementation related to substance use and associated health outcomes.Apply for PAR 24 298
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Substance Use Research (R21 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 2024-09-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-09-09.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: NIH Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Substance Use Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-24-298)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Mechanism for Time-Sensitive Substance Use Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-24-298). It supports fast-moving, short-term pilot, feasibility, or exploratory studies in substance use epidemiology and health services research when the research must happen quickly to remain scientifically useful.
What is the main purpose of this NOFO?
The purpose is to fund research that is truly time-sensitive, meaning there is a narrow window to collect critical data before it becomes unavailable or substantially changed by real-world events (for example, imminent policy implementation or sudden changes in drug supply and related harms). The NOFO emphasizes that applicants must justify why rapid review and funding are necessary.
What kinds of projects are a good fit?
Projects that are a good fit are short-term, rapid, and focused studies such as pilot studies, feasibility assessments, or exploratory analyses that can capture data during a quickly changing situation. The intent is typically to generate foundational evidence, test methods, or establish feasibility rather than to support large, multi-year definitive research.
What does "time-sensitive" mean in the context of this opportunity?
"Time-sensitive" means the research question depends on conditions that are changing quickly, and the opportunity to collect meaningful data may be missed under a traditional grant timeline. Applicants are expected to make a strong case that the timing is critical and that waiting would undermine the ability to answer the question.
What events or circumstances can make a study time-sensitive?
The opportunity highlights situations such as imminent policy implementation, sudden changes in drug supply, rapid shifts in harms (including overdoses), unexpected service system changes, or public safety developments that could alter the environment in a way that makes later data collection less informative.
What research areas does this opportunity focus on?
The NOFO focuses on substance use epidemiology and health services research, especially studies that can inform public health responses, service delivery decisions, or policy implementation related to substance use and associated health outcomes.
What are the priority areas mentioned in the NOFO?
The NOFO highlights five priority areas where urgent research opportunities often arise: (1) sudden and severe emerging drug issues; (2) emerging marijuana trends amid shifting laws and regulations; (3) unexpected and time-sensitive prescription drug misuse opportunities; (4) unexpected and time-sensitive medical system issues affecting addiction-related services; and (5) time-sensitive criminal or juvenile justice-related opportunities tied to system-level or structural changes.
What is meant by "sudden and severe emerging drug issues"?
This refers to situations like an abrupt spike in overdoses or a rapid increase in use of a specific substance (such as opioids or synthetic cannabinoids) within a particular community, where timely data collection can help clarify what is happening and inform response efforts.
How does the NOFO address marijuana-related research?
It supports research on emerging marijuana trends, particularly because marijuana laws and regulations continue to change across jurisdictions. These shifts can create time-bound natural experiments where the ability to assess impacts depends on collecting data during a specific period.
What prescription drug misuse opportunities does the NOFO describe?
The NOFO points to unexpected and time-sensitive opportunities that arise when a state, county, or local government launches a new initiative, implements a new rule, or changes monitoring and prescribing practices. These changes can create a short-lived chance to evaluate impact.
What "medical system issues" are in scope?
In scope are unexpected and time-sensitive opportunities to study how addiction prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services are delivered as the health care system evolves, including changes in coverage, care delivery models, or integration of services.
What criminal or juvenile justice-related research fits this NOFO?
The NOFO includes time-sensitive opportunities linked to criminal or juvenile justice settings, particularly when new system-level or structural changes affect drug use patterns, access to evidence-based care, diversion programs, reentry services, or health care availability for justice-involved populations.
What funding mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which generally supports exploratory and developmental research. It is typically aligned with early-stage work intended to generate foundational evidence, test methods, or establish feasibility.
Does this opportunity require a clinical trial?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required. However, a clinical trial may be proposed if it is appropriate for the rapid, exploratory aims and fits NIH requirements.
Is this meant for long-term, large-scale studies?
Based on the description, the emphasis is on short-term, rapid pilot/feasibility/exploratory work rather than large, multi-year definitive trials. The intent is to act quickly within a narrow window when conditions are changing.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing (CFDA) number provided is 93.279.
How is this grant categorized?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant within education and health-related funding activities.
What is the posted original closing date?
The posted original closing date is 2027-09-09.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and government entities, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted caveat in the NOFO language); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are specific institution types explicitly mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The NOFO includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant types.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The NOFO indicates eligible federal agencies are included among eligible applicant types.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are foreign components allowed under NIH definitions?
No. The NOFO states that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
What makes an application competitive for this program?
Competitive proposals typically (1) define a specific urgent event or impending change, (2) explain why standard review timelines would undermine the research, and (3) present an efficient and feasible plan to collect and analyze data in time to inform public health response, service delivery decisions, or policy implementation related to substance use and associated outcomes.
What types of data collection approaches are implied as useful?
The description emphasizes applicants who can move quickly and leverage real-time or near-real-time data sources, consistent with the need to capture information during a narrow window when conditions are changing.
Why does NIH offer a time-sensitive mechanism for substance use research?
Because substance use problems, policy shifts, service system changes, and public safety developments can unfold rapidly. In those cases, traditional grant timelines can miss the window to collect critical data, reducing the scientific and practical value of the research.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Private Enforcement Initiative
Previous opportunity: HIV Coinfection Surveillance Strategies for Program Planning in the Central America Region under PEPFAR
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 24 298
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 24 298) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 299 Funding Number: PAR 24 299 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Health Equity through Interventions to Prevent and Address Housing Instability (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NR 25 001 Funding Number: RFA NR 25 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development of Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 051 Funding Number: PAR 25 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Immunoprevention Network (CIP-Net) Resource Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 036 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Mitochondrial-associated Mechanisms of Neuropathological and Immunodeficient Aging in the Context of HIV and SUD (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 010 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mitochondrial-associated Mechanisms of Neuropathological and Immunodeficient Aging in the Context of HIV and SUD (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Discovery and Development of Natural Products for Cancer Interception and Prevention (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 25 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 25 080 Funding Number: PA 25 080 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Scaling-up and Maintaining Evidence-based Interventions to Maximize Impact on Cancer (SUMMIT) - Tobacco Use Treatment for Cancer Survivors (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 25 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Scaling-up and Maintaining Evidence-based Interventions to Maximize Impact on Cancer (SUMMIT)- Lung Cancer Screening (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 25 009 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 031 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 035 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Single Source: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 034 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 034 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $8,140,000 |
| Epidemiologic Research on Emerging Risk Factors and Liver Cancer Susceptibility (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 25 123 Funding Number: PA 25 123 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Epidemiologic Research on Emerging Risk Factors and Liver Cancer Susceptibility (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 25 121 Funding Number: PA 25 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Operations Centers (U10 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 030 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for Validation of Biomarker Assays Developed Through NIH-Supported Research Grants (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 304 Funding Number: PAR 24 304 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 033 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,700,000 |
| Single Source: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network (U10 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interventions to expand cancer screening and preventive services to ADVANCE health in populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 25 098 Funding Number: PAR 25 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 24 298", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.