Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 200
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity (PAR 22-200) to speed up the discovery and development of medications aimed at preventing and treating opioid use disorder (OUD), psychostimulant use disorders, and overdose. The program is designed for projects that can generate decisive results relatively quickly and push promising therapies closer to FDA approval by supporting the kinds of studies and development steps that often slow progress between early discovery and later-stage clinical readiness. Proposed therapeutics may include either small-molecule drugs or biologics, and the work can span preclinical development, clinical research, or a mix of both, depending on what is most likely to move the candidate medication forward in a credible and efficient way.
This opportunity uses a two-phase UG3/UH3 structure under a cooperative agreement, meaning the funding agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project (for example, through milestone tracking and collaborative oversight typical of cooperative agreements). The first phase, UG3, supports up to two years of milestone-driven work. Applicants must lay out clear, measurable milestones that can be evaluated at the end of the UG3 period. If those milestones are successfully achieved, the project can transition to the second phase, UH3, which provides up to three additional years of support to continue and expand the development pathway. Transition is not automatic, but UG3 projects that meet their targets are administratively reviewed by NIDA and prioritized for moving forward into the UH3 phase. Because of this structure, applications are expected to present an integrated plan that covers both phases, including what will be accomplished in UG3 to justify the larger UH3 effort.
On the scientific side, NIDA is looking for medication candidates that could meaningfully address real-world clinical needs tied to opioid and/or stimulant misuse and overdose. Studies may focus on key clinical manifestations and treatment targets such as withdrawal, craving, relapse prevention, and overdose mitigation. The FOA allows a range of development strategies, including entirely new chemical entities, repurposing or reformulating medications that are already marketed for other indications, and testing combination therapies where multiple agents together may improve outcomes. The intent is to support projects that can produce the evidence needed for advancement along the FDA drug development pipeline, emphasizing safety and effectiveness and encouraging approaches that can plausibly translate into approved treatments.
The announcement is labeled “clinical trial optional,” which generally means a project can be preclinical only, clinical only, or a staged plan that begins preclinically and moves into clinical evaluation if appropriate. The key expectation is that the proposed studies, whether in animal models, human laboratory settings, or clinical contexts, are designed to efficiently de-risk the candidate and generate the type of data that supports regulatory progression. In practical terms, applicants should be thinking not just about scientific novelty, but about whether the proposed work will materially strengthen the case for the medication’s next development step, such as IND-enabling work, early clinical testing, or other activities aligned with eventual FDA submission.
In terms of funding and timing, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. The award ceiling listed is up to $3,000,000. The original closing date shown is 2025-09-01. The CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) number associated with this opportunity is 93.279, and the activity category is listed under education and health, reflecting NIH’s biomedical research mission and the public health focus of substance use disorder treatment development.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities. This wide eligibility reflects NIDA’s interest in drawing from a diverse set of scientific, clinical, and translational development teams capable of moving medication candidates toward real-world impact.
Overall, the central theme of this FOA is acceleration with accountability: it funds projects that can show concrete progress in a defined early phase (UG3) and then scale into a longer development phase (UH3) once feasibility and readiness have been demonstrated. The program is positioned to support teams that are prepared to operate with a product-development mindset, using milestone-driven planning to move a medication candidate closer to being a safe, effective, and approvable option for preventing or treating opioid and/or stimulant use disorders and reducing overdose risk.Apply for PAR 22 200
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development of Medications to Prevent and Treat Opioid and/or Stimulant Use Disorders and Overdose (UG3/UH3 - 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 2022-09-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-01. (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 $3,000,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement funding opportunity (PAR 22-200) focused on accelerating the discovery and development of medications to prevent and treat opioid use disorder (OUD), psychostimulant use disorders, and overdose.
What is the main goal of PAR 22-200?
The goal is to speed up medication development by supporting studies and development steps that often slow progress between early discovery and later-stage clinical readiness, helping promising therapies move closer to FDA approval.
What types of therapeutics can be proposed?
Proposed therapeutics may include small-molecule drugs or biologics.
Does the program support preclinical work, clinical work, or both?
It can support preclinical development, clinical research, or a mix of both, depending on what is most likely to move the candidate medication forward in a credible and efficient way.
Is a clinical trial required?
No. The announcement is labeled “clinical trial optional,” meaning projects may be preclinical only, clinical only, or structured as a staged plan (for example, starting with preclinical studies and moving into clinical evaluation if appropriate).
What kinds of outcomes or treatment targets are of interest?
The FOA highlights real-world clinical needs and allows studies focused on key manifestations and treatment targets such as withdrawal, craving, relapse prevention, and overdose mitigation.
Can projects involve repurposed drugs or reformulations?
Yes. The FOA allows development strategies that include entirely new chemical entities as well as repurposing or reformulating medications already marketed for other indications.
Are combination therapies allowed?
Yes. The FOA allows testing combination therapies where multiple agents together may improve outcomes.
What does “cooperative agreement” mean for this program?
A cooperative agreement indicates that the funding agency expects substantial involvement during the project. In this program, that involvement may include milestone tracking and collaborative oversight typical of cooperative agreements.
What is the UG3/UH3 two-phase structure?
The opportunity uses a two-phase UG3/UH3 structure. The first phase (UG3) supports milestone-driven work for up to two years. If UG3 milestones are met, the project may transition to the second phase (UH3) for up to three additional years to continue and expand development activities.
How long is the UG3 phase?
UG3 supports up to two years of work.
How long is the UH3 phase?
UH3 can provide up to three additional years of support after UG3, for projects that successfully meet UG3 milestones and are prioritized to transition.
Is transition from UG3 to UH3 automatic?
No. Transition is not automatic. UG3 projects that meet their milestones are administratively reviewed by NIDA and prioritized for moving forward into the UH3 phase.
What are UG3 milestones and why do they matter?
Applicants must propose clear, measurable milestones for the UG3 phase. These milestones are evaluated at the end of UG3 and are central to determining whether the project is ready and eligible to be considered for transition into the UH3 phase.
Do applications need to cover both phases?
Yes. Applications are expected to present an integrated plan that covers both UG3 and UH3, including what will be accomplished during UG3 to justify the larger UH3 effort.
What kind of evidence is NIDA looking for?
NIDA is looking for projects that can generate decisive results relatively quickly and produce evidence needed for advancement along the FDA drug development pipeline, with emphasis on safety and effectiveness.
What does “acceleration with accountability” mean in this FOA?
It means the program is designed to move quickly while requiring concrete progress. Teams are expected to use milestone-driven planning, demonstrate measurable advancement in the early UG3 phase, and then scale into UH3 only after feasibility and readiness are demonstrated.
What kinds of study settings are acceptable?
The FOA contemplates studies in animal models, human laboratory settings, or clinical contexts, as long as the studies are designed to efficiently de-risk the candidate and generate data that supports regulatory progression.
How should applicants think about regulatory progression?
The FOA emphasizes designing studies that materially strengthen the case for a medication’s next development step (for example, IND-enabling work, early clinical testing, or other activities aligned with eventual FDA submission).
What is the funding instrument used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is up to $3,000,000.
When is the closing date?
The original closing date shown is 2025-09-01.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number associated with this opportunity is 93.279.
Which NIH institute is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Examples listed include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; tribal governments and tribal organizations; public housing authorities; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations; small businesses; eligible federal agencies; and foreign (non-U.S.) entities.
Are universities and colleges eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are for-profit companies eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) are listed as eligible.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible even without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status are included in the eligibility list.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are listed as eligible.
Are U.S. territories and non-U.S. entities eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights U.S. territories or possessions and also lists foreign (non-U.S.) entities as eligible.
Does the FOA encourage participation from specific institution types?
Yes. It explicitly highlights HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based and community-based organizations, and regional organizations, among others.
What is the program’s broader focus area?
The activity category is listed under education and health, consistent with NIH’s biomedical research mission and the public health focus of developing treatments for substance use disorders and preventing overdose.
What kinds of projects are the best fit for this opportunity?
Projects that are prepared to operate with a product-development mindset and can show concrete, milestone-based progress in a defined early period (UG3), with a credible plan to continue into a longer development phase (UH3) to move a medication candidate closer to FDA approval.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Early Stage Investigator HIV/AIDS Research Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Cancer Adoptive Cellular Therapy Network (Can-ACT) Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
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 22 200
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 22 200) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| NCI Cancer Moonshot Scholars Diversity Program (CMSDP) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 22 050 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 202 Funding Number: PAR 22 202 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 243 Funding Number: PAR 22 243 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 242 Funding Number: PAR 22 242 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Areas of Emphasis for Research to Optimize Health and Advance Health Equity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 231 Funding Number: PAR 22 231 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Areas of Emphasis for Research to Optimize Health and Advance Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 230 Funding Number: PAR 22 230 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program (CAP-IT) Centers (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 055 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $720,000 |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 22 036 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 035 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Outstanding Early Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA CA 22 037 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Large Scale Integrated Mapping and Molecular Profiling of Cell Ensembles and/or Cell-Types Mediating Opioid Action in the Rodent Brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 035 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: HEAL Data2Action Acceleration Projects (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 058 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: HEAL Data2Action Innovation and Acceleration Projects, Phased Awards (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 23 057 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 22 042 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 042 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 22 043 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 043 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,150,000 |
| Cannabis and Cannabinoid Use in Adult Cancer Patients During Treatment: Assessing Benefits and Harms (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 052 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Coordinating Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Use in Adult Cancer Patients During Treatment: Assessing Benefits and Harms (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 053 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Clinical Sites for HIV/Cervical Cancer Prevention 'CASCADE' Clinical Trials Network (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 22 051 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial and/or Ethnic Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 23 061 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic/Translational Research on Health Disparities in Underrepresented People Living with HIV (PLWH) and Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 057 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
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 22 200", 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.