Exploratory Studies to Investigate the Mechanisms of Interrelationship between Sleep and Substance Use Disorders (R61/R33 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | RFA DA 22 029

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 22 029

The grant opportunity titled "Exploratory Studies to Investigate the Mechanisms of Interrelationship between Sleep and Substance Use Disorders (R61/R33 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-22-029) is a discretionary NIH research grant designed to fund early-stage, developmental, and exploratory projects that clarify the basic neurobiological mechanisms connecting sleep and substance use disorders (SUDs). The central focus is on mechanistic science: research that can explain how disruptions in sleep regulation and the neurobiology of addiction influence one another in both directions. The goal is not just to document that sleep problems and SUDs co-occur, but to identify the underlying processes that tie them together, including how sleep changes may increase vulnerability to substance use, and how substance use may alter sleep-wake systems in ways that worsen addiction risk, relapse likelihood, or recovery outcomes.

A defining feature of this opportunity is that it uses the R61/R33 phased innovation award structure and requires basic experimental studies with humans. In practice, that means the funding mechanism is intended to support a high-impact, exploratory first phase (R61) that can establish feasibility and generate strong initial mechanistic evidence, followed by a second phase (R33) that expands or deepens the work once early milestones are met. Because the FOA specifies human basic experimental studies, applicants are expected to include experimental manipulation or closely controlled mechanistic approaches in human participants rather than relying solely on observational or correlational designs. The scientific emphasis is on neurobiology and sleep regulation as they relate to SUD mechanisms, which can include investigating brain circuits, neurochemical systems, behavioral and cognitive processes, or physiological pathways that plausibly explain the sleep-SUD connection.

The program rationale highlights practical downstream value even though the work is framed as basic research. By mapping the mechanisms that link sleep and addiction-related processes, the research is expected to generate insights relevant to preventing SUDs, managing risk, and identifying novel targets for therapeutics. In other words, the studies should help explain fundamental cause-and-effect pathways that could eventually inform new interventions, such as strategies that address sleep disruption to reduce substance use risk, or addiction treatments that reduce sleep-related triggers for craving and relapse. The FOA also emphasizes the bidirectional nature of the relationship: sleep problems may contribute to SUD development or persistence, and SUDs may produce or worsen sleep dysregulation, creating self-reinforcing cycles that are important to understand at a mechanistic level.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can conduct biomedical and behavioral research. Eligible applicants listed in the source data include state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants such as 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility suggests NIH is open to a diverse set of institutions and research settings, including community-linked organizations and international partners where appropriate.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health and is categorized under Education and Health, with CFDA number 93.279. The original closing date shown is 2021-10-14, and the opportunity was created on 2021-06-28. The listed award ceiling is $250,000, indicating the FOA places an upper bound on the size of awards (as presented in the source summary). The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided data. Overall, the funding announcement is aimed at catalyzing rigorous, human-focused mechanistic research that can illuminate how sleep biology and substance use pathology intersect, with the longer-term promise of improving prevention and treatment strategies by targeting the core processes that connect these two major public health issues.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Studies to Investigate the Mechanisms of Interrelationship between Sleep and Substance Use Disorders (R61/R33 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 2021-06-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-14. (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 $250,000.00 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 DA 22 029

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: