November 15, 2023
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) invites applications for administrative supplements to NIMHD Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) U54 awards to support pilot research projects led by early-stage investigators (ESIs) and new investigators (NIs) focused on research on substance use, addiction, and/or neuroscience, as a bridge to independently funded careers. It is expected that pilot project PIs will work with their institutions to prepare and submit follow-up research grant or career development applications to NIH based on the research supported by these supplemental funds.
Background
NIMHD in partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) seeks to leverage the unique contributions of RCMIs in the areas of substance use, addiction and neuroscience research through effective pilot projects at participating programs. Eligible investigators for pilot project support should be at the senior post-doctoral or fellowship level or assistant professor. Centers will provide ongoing advice and mentorship to pilot PIs as they conduct their research projects, submit publications based on their work, and work with their institutions to apply for NIH or external grants such as mentored K-award or equivalent and ultimately an R01 grant as appropriate to their career level.
Research Objectives
Supplements awarded through this NOSI are intended to provide support to ESIs and NIs to conduct pilot studies in the areas of substance use, addiction and neuroscience research and collect data they can use to prepare applications for independent funding support. The proposed research can range from basic, to clinical, translation, epidemiology, services, and prevention, but must be relevant to the NIDA mission (see https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/2022-2026-strategic-plan/executive-summary).
Eligibility to be a PI of a pilot project funded through this NOSI is limited to ESIs as defined by NIH (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/index.htm) and NIs with their primary appointment at an RCMI U54 recipient institution. NIs are defined by NIH as individuals who have not previously competed successfully for substantial, independent funding support from NIH. Investigators maintain NI status if they have been supported by any of the smaller research grants, training, infrastructure, and career awards that appear on this list: https://grants.nih.gov/policy/early-investigators/list-smaller-grants.htm. ESI and NI PIs should be positioned to work with their institutions to submit an NIH grant application within two years of the supplement award date.
Applications not responsive to this NOSI:
Applications not responsive to these terms will be withdrawn.
Application and Submission Information
Applications for this initiative must be submitted using the following opportunity or its subsequent reissued equivalent.
Administrative supplements proposed through PA-20-272 must be within the scope of the peer reviewed and approved parent RCMI U54 award, including competitive revisions. For the purposes of this NOSI, proposed pilot research projects must be administered by the parent RCMI U54 center's Investigator Development Core.
To be eligible for an Administrative Supplement under this NOSI, the parent RCMI U54 award must
All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and PA-20-272 must be followed, with the following additions:
Please direct all inquiries to:
Scientific/Research Contacts
Arundhati Gogineni, PhD
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Telephone: 301-427-9545
Email: arundhati.gogineni@nih.gov
Angela Holmes, PhD
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Telephone: 301-827-2487
Email: angela.holmes2@nih.gov
Fiscal/Grants Management Contact
Priscilla Grant, JD
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Telephone: 301-594-8412
Email: pg38h@nih.gov