Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 19 002
The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), issued this discretionary funding opportunity (RFA-DA-19-002; CFDA 93.279) to speed the discovery and development of medications that can prevent and treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose. The program is built to move promising therapeutics forward in a practical, milestone-driven way, with the explicit goal of generating the kinds of results that help advance candidates toward FDA approval. Projects may be preclinical, clinical, or a combination of both, and clinical trials are optional under this announcement.
The award uses a UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement structure, meaning the work is supported in two linked phases and NIH/NIDA expects substantial involvement consistent with a cooperative mechanism. The first phase (UG3) is a 2-year "innovation" or planning/early execution period designed around clear, objective milestones that must be met by the end of the phase. Those milestones are not just general aims; they are intended to be concrete go/no-go decision points that demonstrate the candidate and development plan are ready to advance. Projects that successfully meet the UG3 milestones are then considered for transition to the second phase (UH3), which can provide up to 3 additional years of support to carry out the next stage of development. Transition from UG3 to UH3 is not automatic; NIDA administratively reviews whether milestones were achieved and prioritizes projects accordingly, so applicants must write a unified plan that covers both phases from the start.
On the science side, the announcement is broad in the types of therapeutic candidates and study approaches it will consider, as long as the work is positioned to have high impact and produce results quickly enough to meaningfully advance the medication toward the FDA drug development pipeline. Candidates can include small molecules or biologics, and they can be evaluated in preclinical models and/or in studies addressing key clinical manifestations of OUD and overdose. Examples of target outcomes mentioned include withdrawal, craving, relapse, and overdose, reflecting NIDA's interest in medications that can improve real-world clinical endpoints rather than only laboratory measures.
The FOA also makes clear that applications can propose multiple development strategies, including entirely new chemical entities, new formulations of existing marketed medications that are currently approved for other indications (repurposing or reformulation), and combinations of medications that show promise for treating OUD or preventing overdose. In practice, that means an application could focus on optimizing and testing a novel compound, improving delivery or duration of action for an existing drug, or evaluating a rational combination approach, as long as the plan is rigorous, milestone-based, and geared toward development decisions that reduce risk and accelerate progress toward approval.
Eligibility is expansive and includes a wide range of domestic applicants such as 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 tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; 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 announcement also highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), indicating NIDA's interest in broad participation where the science and development capability are strong.
Key administrative details included in the source data are that the NIH is the issuing agency, the original closing date listed was 2020-01-01, the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and an award ceiling of $3,000,000 is indicated. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at teams that can propose a credible end-to-end development path, define measurable early milestones for the UG3 phase, and then execute the more advanced development activities in the UH3 phase to move an OUD/overdose medication candidate closer to FDA review and eventual clinical use.Apply for RFA DA 19 002
- 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 Use Disorders and Overdose (UG3/UH3) (Clinical Trials 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 2017-12-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-01. (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 trying to accomplish?
This NIH/NIDA funding opportunity (RFA-DA-19-002; CFDA 93.279) is designed to speed the discovery and development of medications that can prevent and treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose. The emphasis is on practical, milestone-driven projects that generate results useful for moving a candidate closer to the FDA drug development pipeline and, ultimately, FDA approval.
Which NIH institute is sponsoring the program?
The program is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement using a UG3/UH3 structure, which supports work in two linked phases and includes substantial NIH/NIDA involvement consistent with a cooperative mechanism.
What does the UG3/UH3 structure mean in practice?
The project is organized into two connected phases:
- UG3 phase: Up to 2 years focused on innovation, planning, and early execution, built around clear, objective milestones.
- UH3 phase: Up to 3 additional years to conduct the next stage of development for projects that successfully meet UG3 milestones and are selected for transition.
How long is the UG3 phase?
The UG3 phase is a 2-year period intended for planning and early execution, with concrete go/no-go milestones that must be met by the end of the phase.
How long is the UH3 phase?
The UH3 phase can provide up to 3 additional years of support to carry out the next stage of development after successful completion of UG3 milestones.
Is transition from UG3 to UH3 automatic?
No. Transition is not automatic. NIDA conducts an administrative review to determine whether UG3 milestones were achieved and prioritizes projects accordingly before approving transition to the UH3 phase.
Do applicants need to submit separate applications for UG3 and UH3?
No. Applicants are expected to write a unified plan that covers both phases from the start, including milestones for the UG3 phase and the proposed development activities for the UH3 phase.
What kind of milestones are expected for the UG3 phase?
Milestones are intended to be concrete, objective go/no-go decision points rather than broad or general aims. They should demonstrate that the therapeutic candidate and the development plan are ready to advance to the next stage.
What types of projects are allowed (preclinical vs. clinical)?
Projects may be preclinical, clinical, or a combination of both under this announcement.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement.
What types of therapeutic candidates are in scope?
The announcement is broad and can support development of small molecules or biologics, as long as the work is positioned to have high impact and can produce results quickly enough to meaningfully advance the candidate toward the FDA drug development pipeline.
What outcomes or clinical problems does NIDA emphasize?
Examples of target outcomes mentioned include withdrawal, craving, relapse, and overdose. This reflects an interest in medications that can improve real-world clinical endpoints rather than only laboratory measures.
Can the application propose more than one development strategy?
Yes. Applications can propose multiple development strategies as long as the plan is rigorous, milestone-based, and aimed at development decisions that reduce risk and accelerate progress toward approval.
Are new chemical entities allowed?
Yes. The opportunity allows entirely new chemical entities as one possible strategy.
Can existing marketed medications be repurposed or reformulated?
Yes. The FOA explicitly allows new formulations of existing marketed medications that are approved for other indications (repurposing or reformulation).
Are combination medication approaches allowed?
Yes. The FOA allows combinations of medications that show promise for treating OUD or preventing overdose.
What is the overall expectation for project impact and pace?
The work should be positioned to have high impact and produce results quickly enough to meaningfully advance the medication candidate toward the FDA drug development pipeline.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
It means NIH/NIDA expects substantial involvement consistent with a cooperative mechanism, alongside the awardee, throughout the project.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is expansive and includes many domestic applicant types, including 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 tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; 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.
Are institutions serving specific communities called out as eligible?
Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the eligible categories.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included in the listed eligible categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
What is the award ceiling mentioned for this opportunity?
The source data indicates an award ceiling of $3,000,000.
What is the original closing date listed in the opportunity details?
The original closing date listed was 2020-01-01.
How does this program relate to FDA approval?
The program is explicitly focused on generating results that help advance therapeutic candidates toward FDA approval by supporting a credible end-to-end development path, using measurable milestones to guide go/no-go decisions and reduce development risk.
What kinds of activities might be supported in a practical development path?
Based on the description, an application could focus on optimizing and testing a novel compound, improving delivery or duration of action for an existing drug, or evaluating a rational combination approach, with work conducted in preclinical models and/or clinical studies depending on the proposed plan.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase II
Previous opportunity: Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
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 RFA DA 19 002
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DA 19 002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| End-of-Life and Palliative Care Health Literacy: Improving Outcomes in Serious, Advanced Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 498 Funding Number: PA 18 498 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Device-Based Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 494 Funding Number: PAR 18 494 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Care Health Literacy: Improving Outcomes in Serious, Advanced Illness (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 499 Funding Number: PA 18 499 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 503 Funding Number: PA 18 503 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 502 Funding Number: PA 18 502 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Synthetic Biology for Engineering Applications (R01) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 434 Funding Number: PAR 18 434 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 347 Funding Number: PA 18 347 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 473 Funding Number: PA 18 473 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Advancing Basic Neurobiology Toward Translation Through Assay Development (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 505 Funding Number: PAR 18 505 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Self-Management for Health in Chronic Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 384 Funding Number: PA 18 384 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Community Partnerships to Advance Research (CPAR) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 381 Funding Number: PA 18 381 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 527 Funding Number: PAR 18 527 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R01 ) Apply for PAR 18 510 Funding Number: PAR 18 510 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Questions in Symptom Science and Genomics (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 471 Funding Number: PA 18 471 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 472 Funding Number: PA 18 472 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R21 Clinical Trial Optional ) Apply for PAR 18 509 Funding Number: PAR 18 509 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 348 Funding Number: PA 18 348 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Self-Management for Health in Chronic Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 376 Funding Number: PA 18 376 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Community Partnerships to Advance Research (CPAR) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 377 Funding Number: PA 18 377 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Community Partnerships to Advance Research (CPAR) (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 475 Funding Number: PA 18 475 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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 "RFA DA 19 002", 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.