NIDA Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 259

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 259

The NIDA Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P50 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR-19-259, is an NIH discretionary grant aimed at building high-impact research Centers focused on drug abuse and addiction. The core idea is to support Centers that can pursue bold, innovative science within any area of NIDA's mission, rather than incremental or routine extensions of existing work. NIDA is looking for programs that can genuinely shift or transform knowledge in the scientific areas they target, with a clear expectation that the Center structure will create synergy across projects and disciplines.

A key feature of this opportunity is the emphasis on multidisciplinary, thematically integrated research. Applicants are expected to organize multiple lines of work around a coherent theme, where the combined Center is stronger than separate individual projects. The research should be outstanding in scientific merit and creativity, and it should be designed in a way that encourages collaboration and cross-fertilization among investigators. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation signals that clinical trials may be included if they fit the Center's goals, but they are not required.

Beyond research, the program places heavy weight on national impact and service. A funded Center is expected to function as a national resource for the broader drug abuse research ecosystem. That includes providing educational and outreach activities that connect with drug abuse research communities, educational organizations, the general public, and policy makers. In practice, that implies a strong commitment to translating Center-generated knowledge outward through dissemination, engagement, and usable products or activities, not just publishing papers.

Another major program goal is developing the next generation of researchers. NIDA expects these Centers to foster career development and mentoring of new investigators, giving them meaningful and substantive roles within Center projects rather than peripheral involvement. The Center model is meant to create an environment where early-stage and emerging investigators can grow through access to mentorship, infrastructure, collaborations, and leadership opportunities tied to the Center's central scientific agenda.

Data and resource sharing are also explicitly part of the program's intent. NIDA wants these Centers to serve the field by sharing findings, data, and research resources as appropriate so other researchers can use them, replicate findings, and build on the work to accelerate progress in addiction science. This aligns with the idea of the Center as community infrastructure, not just a single institution's research portfolio.

Eligibility is broad across 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education under those nonprofit categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign involvement is tightly restricted. While the text references "Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)" in an eligibility list, the FOA makes clear that non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed. In other words, the Center must be fully domestic in applicant status and component structure under NIH rules.

From the provided source details, the activity falls under Education and Health and is associated with CFDA number 93.279. The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the listed award ceiling is $10,000,000. The FOA record shows an original closing date of 2021-11-17 and a creation date of 2019-04-23, which is useful for context but should be verified against current NIH postings if someone is looking for an active or reissued version of the opportunity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P50 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 2019-04-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-17. (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 $10,000,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 19 259

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