Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 241

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 241

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (PAR-20-241) supports research projects that can systematically identify and characterize the brain cells and cell groups involved in opioid biology in rodents. The central goal is to build detailed inventories of the specific cellular ensembles and/or cell types that either produce endogenous opioids, respond to opioids through receptor or circuit mechanisms, or show measurable activity changes that track with opioid-related behaviors. This announcement is aimed at studies that move beyond small-scale, region-by-region investigation and instead use scalable methods that can map and profile relevant cells at single-cell resolution across broader brain areas or multiple conditions, producing datasets that can serve as reference resources for the field.

A major emphasis of the opportunity is on innovative, high-throughput technologies that can "inventory, register, and profile" the relevant cells. In practice, that means projects are expected to combine approaches capable of identifying opioid-relevant cells (for example, by tracing opioid receptor-expressing populations, tagging cells activated during opioid exposure or withdrawal, or labeling neurons that are functionally tied to opioid-related behaviors) with methods that can precisely localize those cells anatomically and describe them molecularly. The most responsive projects are likely to integrate single-cell or near-single-cell analyses with brain-wide or large-scale anatomical mapping so that cell identity, spatial context, and functional relevance are linked in a coherent way. The overall orientation is toward building comprehensive maps and molecular profiles of opioid-action mediators rather than testing clinical interventions or running human-subject studies.

The scientific scope covers cells that are primary sources of opioids (such as neurons that synthesize and release endogenous opioid peptides), direct pharmacological targets of opioids (for example, cell types expressing mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors), and cells whose activity changes correlate with opioid-related behaviors in rodents. The behavioral linkage matters because the announcement highlights ensembles and cell types whose activation patterns or state changes associate with opioid phenotypes, which can include reward, analgesia, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, craving-like behaviors, or relapse-related paradigms, depending on the specific model chosen. The focus on rodents reflects an interest in mechanistic, experimentally controlled neuroscience where large-scale mapping and molecular profiling can be paired with circuit access and behavioral readouts.

This is an R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for full research projects rather than small pilots, and it is explicitly "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so applications should not propose clinical trials. The award ceiling listed in the source data is $1,000,000, and the opportunity sits in NIH’s health-related research portfolio (CFDA 93.279). The original closing date provided is 2020-10-30, and the opportunity category is discretionary with a grant funding instrument type. While the announcement text here does not enumerate review criteria, the framing strongly implies that technical scalability, single-cell resolution, rigorous anatomical registration, and clear relevance to opioid-producing or opioid-responsive cell populations will be key features of competitive proposals.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The opportunity also explicitly encourages or permits participation from a wide range of institutional categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized. Faith-based and community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies are included as well. Notably, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components are allowed as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which opens the door for international teams or collaborations that bring unique expertise or platform technologies for large-scale mapping and profiling.

Overall, the opportunity is designed to accelerate a more complete, high-resolution understanding of how opioids act in the brain by supporting projects that can identify the relevant ensembles and cell types, place them into precise anatomical context, and characterize them molecularly at scale. The expected payoff is a set of integrated maps and profiles that help explain which cells are driving opioid effects and opioid-related behaviors in rodent models, and that can serve as a foundation for future mechanistic studies and therapeutic target discovery, without involving clinical trial activities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2020-06-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-30. (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 $1,000,000.00 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.

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