Patient Engagement Resource Centers to Inform SUD Treatment Services Research (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 24 016

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 24 016

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Patient Engagement Resource Centers to Inform SUD Treatment Services Research (R24 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-24-016; CFDA 93.279). The central problem this program is trying to address is the large gap between need and receipt of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment: national data suggest only about 1 in 10 people who need treatment actually receive it. The funding announcement points to a key reason for this gap: many treatment services are designed in ways that do not line up with what patients find workable or acceptable, including practical details such as where care is delivered, how long it lasts, how it is structured, and what it costs. In other words, when treatment design does not match real-world patient preferences and constraints, people are less likely to start treatment, stay in it, or return when they need additional support.

The purpose of the award is to establish or support "Patient Engagement Resource Centers" that systematically bring patient perspectives into research that informs how SUD treatment services are designed and delivered. These centers are meant to help researchers and service systems better incorporate the voices of people with lived experience, including prospective patients, people in recovery, and affected family members. The intent is not just general outreach, but structured engagement that can shape research questions and study designs so the resulting evidence is more directly relevant to how people actually seek and use SUD services. By grounding research in patient priorities, the program aims to generate actionable insights that can improve the quality, accessibility, and responsiveness of treatment services, ultimately reducing barriers to initiating and continuing care.

This opportunity uses the R24 activity code, which commonly supports resource-related infrastructure, coordination, and capacity building that can benefit a broader field or research community. The announcement notes "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants can propose work that does or does not include a clinical trial component, depending on what is appropriate for the proposed aims. The Funding Activity Category is listed under Education and Health, reflecting a focus on building practical engagement resources and processes that improve the evidence base for treatment service delivery, rather than solely testing a single intervention in isolation.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly names additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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 agencies, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. On the other hand, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, the FOA allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means certain project elements can involve foreign collaboration or activities when justified and compliant, even though the applying organization itself must be domestic.

Key administrative details included in the listing are that the sponsoring agency is NIH, the original closing date was 2023-11-02, and the stated award ceiling is $350,000. While the listing references expected awards without a specific number provided in the excerpt, the overall structure indicates NIH anticipates supporting centers that can serve as engagement hubs and resources to help research teams and service systems consistently integrate patient input into SUD treatment services research. The overarching goal is to make treatment services more aligned with patient needs and preferences so that more people are willing and able to access care, remain engaged, and achieve better outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Patient Engagement Resource Centers to Inform SUD Treatment Services Research (R24 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 2023-05-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-02. (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 $350,000.00 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 24 016

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