Specialized Alcohol Research Centers (P50 Clinical trial Optional) | RFA AA 24 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AA 24 007

The Specialized Alcohol Research Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity, RFA-AA-24-007, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) that supports the creation or continuation of specialized, interdisciplinary alcohol research centers using the P50 center grant mechanism. The central goal of the program is to provide scientific leadership and to accelerate collaborative, team-based research that addresses major questions aligned with NIAAA's mission. In practice, these centers are expected to function as organized hubs that bring together investigators, disciplines, and shared resources to pursue coordinated, goal-directed research programs that would be difficult to execute through individual projects alone.

The research scope is broad and spans biomedical, behavioral, and population-focused topics related to alcohol use and its consequences. The NOFO highlights priority areas that include understanding the nature and causes of alcohol use disorder (AUD), the etiology and genetics of alcohol-related conditions, improvements in diagnosis, and the development and testing of treatment and prevention approaches. It also explicitly emphasizes alcohol-related end-organ diseases and the downstream biomedical, psychosocial, and economic impacts of alcohol across the lifespan. A notable focus is the inclusion of research that addresses differences and inequities across racial and ethnic groups and other health disparity populations, signaling that applications that meaningfully incorporate health disparities considerations, inclusive cohorts, and equitable research approaches are strongly aligned with the program's intent.

Beyond producing research findings, these centers are also expected to serve as regional or national resources. That role can include providing infrastructure, expertise, and shared services that strengthen alcohol research capacity more broadly, as well as contributing to the development of new methods, technologies, and innovative approaches that enable sustained progress in the field. In other words, NIAAA is not only funding sets of studies; it is investing in durable, collaborative research ecosystems that can generate new tools, train or support investigators indirectly through shared resources, and push the science forward through coordinated leadership.

The funding instrument is a discretionary grant under the health activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.273. The notice specifies that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose projects that include clinical trials if scientifically appropriate, but they are not required to do so. The listed award ceiling is $1,150,000, and the original application closing date is November 15, 2024. The opportunity was created on May 7, 2024.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. It also includes 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 NOFO also calls out several categories of "other eligible applicants," including 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 agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to non-U.S. entities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) organizations are not eligible to apply as applicant institutions, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which typically means a U.S. applicant can include certain well-justified international elements or collaborations as part of the project structure, provided they meet NIH policy requirements and the application remains led by an eligible domestic applicant organization.

Overall, this NOFO is designed for applicants capable of assembling a cohesive center with multiple coordinated activities that collectively advance alcohol research. Competitive applications are likely to reflect strong interdisciplinary collaboration, a clear and compelling center-wide scientific vision, and a plan to function as a resource that advances methods, technology, and approaches for the broader alcohol research community, while also addressing AUD and alcohol-related health outcomes in diverse populations, including health disparity groups, across the lifespan.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Specialized Alcohol Research Centers (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): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-15. (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 $1,150,000.00 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 RFA AA 24 007

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