Mechanistic Studies to Investigate the Interrelationship Between Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms and Substance Use Disorders (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | RFA DA 25 044

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 25 044

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Mechanistic Studies to Investigate the Interrelationship Between Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms and Substance Use Disorders (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)." This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), numbered RFA-DA-25-044 (CFDA 93.279), is focused on supporting basic science, human-subjects experimental research that can clarify how sleep and circadian rhythm processes interact with substance use disorders (SUDs). The central emphasis is on mechanistic work, meaning studies designed to reveal underlying biological, behavioral, and physiological processes rather than simply documenting correlations. The goal is to generate foundational knowledge about the two-way relationship: how substance use and addiction-related processes may disrupt sleep and circadian functioning, and how sleep or circadian disruption may increase vulnerability to substance use, worsen SUD trajectories, or affect relapse risk.

A key theme of the NOFO is that improved mechanistic understanding could translate into practical downstream benefits, even though the supported research is basic in nature. By identifying the fundamental pathways that connect sleep/circadian dysregulation with SUDs, findings may help refine risk management approaches for people who are vulnerable to developing SUDs, and may also point toward new prevention strategies or therapeutic targets. In other words, the opportunity is designed to build the science needed to eventually inform interventions, clinical decision-making, and public health approaches, particularly where sleep and circadian biology intersect with addiction processes.

The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and it explicitly requires basic experimental studies with humans. That requirement signals that the proposed work should involve human participants and include experimental manipulation or controlled testing to probe mechanisms (for example, designs that can isolate causal pathways or test how changing sleep timing, sleep duration, circadian alignment, or related factors influences substance-related outcomes, or vice versa). While the NOFO description provided does not list specific scientific topics or required substances, the scope is broadly centered on sleep/circadian rhythms and substance use disorders, allowing applicants to propose mechanistic questions that fit within that intersection.

The opportunity is open to a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Academic institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations may apply whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, so long as they are not institutions of higher education. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible, along with an "Other" category that typically captures additional entity types permitted under NIH policies.

The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant categories, reflecting an inclusive intent to broaden participation across institution types and geographies. These include 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 government agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Notably, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly included as eligible applicants, which can enable international collaboration or research conducted outside the United States when consistent with NIH rules and the scientific aims of the project.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Education and Health as the funding activity category, and it uses the grant funding instrument type. The original closing date listed is October 29, 2024, and the record shows a creation date of June 20, 2024. The award ceiling is listed as 300,000 (as provided in the source data), which is typically interpreted as a maximum cap associated with the award, although applicants would still need to follow NIH budgeting guidance and the specific NOFO instructions for allowable costs and budgeting format. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided source excerpt.

Overall, this NOFO is designed for research teams that can run rigorous experimental studies in humans to disentangle cause-and-effect relationships between sleep/circadian systems and substance use disorders. Projects that fit well are those aimed at explaining "how" and "why" these domains influence each other, producing mechanistic evidence that can serve as the scientific backbone for later-stage prevention or treatment development.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanistic Studies to Investigate the Interrelationship Between Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms and Substance Use Disorders (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" 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 2024-06-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-29. (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 $300,000.00 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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