Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 19 020
The funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative: Americas Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Epidemic (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-19-020) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant announcement issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). It sits under the broader HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative and is aimed at accelerating practical, research-driven technologies that can help address the opioid crisis in the United States. The focus is on solutions that are grounded in science and capable of making a real-world impact for people, families, and communities affected by opioid misuse and opioid use disorder.
This FOA uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, specifically the R41/R42 grant activity codes. In plain terms, that means it is designed for U.S. small business concerns that are developing an innovation but also need to formally partner with a nonprofit research institution (such as a university, medical center, or research lab) to carry out the research and development work. The R41 phase generally supports early-stage feasibility and proof-of-concept development (Phase I), while the R42 phase supports more advanced R and D activities aimed at strengthening the technology and moving it closer to deployment or commercialization (Phase II). The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that involve human participants or clinical testing if appropriate for the technology, but a clinical trial is not required for every application.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. small businesses, consistent with STTR rules, and the FOA is explicit about restrictions on non-U.S. participation. Foreign institutions (non-domestic entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. However, the FOA notes that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in certain circumstances. Practically, that usually means a mostly U.S.-based project can sometimes include a justified, clearly defined portion of work performed outside the U.S. if it is necessary for the science and consistent with NIH policy, but the applicant and primary performance sites are expected to be domestic.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under NIH, categorized in the education and health funding activity area, and associated with CFDA numbers 93.279 and 93.350. The opportunity was created on 2018-12-10, and the original closing date listed is 2021-09-08. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would normally need to consult the full FOA text and NIH funding details to understand budget limits, project period expectations, and any topic-specific caps or guidance.
Overall, the purpose of the program is to mobilize the innovation capacity of U.S. startups and small businesses, in collaboration with research institutions, to produce technology-based solutions aligned with NIDA's research and development mission and responsive to the opioid emergency. This can include a broad range of potential tools, products, platforms, or systems as long as they offer research-based solutions to prevent opioid misuse, improve treatment and recovery outcomes, reduce overdose and related harms, or otherwise address key drivers and consequences of the opioid epidemic.Apply for RFA DA 19 020
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative: Americas Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Epidemic (R41/R42 - 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, 93.350.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the NIH funding announcement titled "HEAL Initiative: Americas Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Epidemic (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-DA-19-020). It is issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the broader NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative.
Which agency is offering the grant?
The grant is offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
What is the main goal of this program?
The program is intended to accelerate practical, research-driven technologies that can help address the opioid crisis in the United States. The emphasis is on science-grounded solutions that can make a real-world impact for people, families, and communities affected by opioid misuse and opioid use disorder.
What grant mechanism does this FOA use?
This FOA uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, using the R41/R42 activity codes.
What do R41 and R42 mean in practice?
R41 generally supports Phase I work focused on early-stage feasibility and proof-of-concept development. R42 generally supports Phase II work focused on more advanced research and development to strengthen the technology and move it closer to deployment or commercialization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. small business concerns, consistent with STTR rules. A key feature of STTR is that the small business must formally partner with a nonprofit research institution (for example, a university, medical center, or research lab) to carry out the R&D work.
Does an applicant need a research institution partner?
Yes. Because this is an STTR opportunity, the small business is expected to partner with a nonprofit research institution to perform the research and development activities.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means an application may include studies involving human participants or clinical testing if appropriate for the technology, but a clinical trial is not required for every application.
Are non-U.S. organizations allowed to apply?
No. Foreign (non-domestic) institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization under this FOA.
Can a U.S. organization apply if part of the organization is located outside the U.S.?
No. The FOA states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations.
Are any foreign activities allowed at all?
Possibly. The FOA notes that foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in certain circumstances. In practical terms, this can mean a primarily U.S.-based project may include a justified and clearly defined portion of work performed outside the U.S. if it is necessary for the science and consistent with NIH policy.
What types of projects are a good fit?
Projects should be technology-based solutions aligned with NIDA's research and development mission and responsive to the opioid emergency. The description allows for a broad range of tools, products, platforms, or systems, as long as they are research-based and aimed at preventing opioid misuse, improving treatment and recovery outcomes, reducing overdose and related harms, or addressing key drivers and consequences of the opioid epidemic.
Is this opportunity focused on the United States?
Yes. The FOA is framed around addressing the opioid crisis in the United States, and eligibility and participation rules emphasize U.S. small businesses and primarily domestic performance.
What funding activity area does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized as a discretionary NIH grant opportunity associated with the education and health funding activity area.
What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.279 and 93.350.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2018-12-10.
What is the closing date listed for this FOA?
The original closing date listed is 2021-09-08.
How much funding is available per award, and how many awards will be made?
The provided information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH funding details for budget limits, project period expectations, and any topic-specific caps or guidance.
What is the broader initiative connected to this FOA?
This FOA is part of the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for reference?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-DA-19-020.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DA 19 020) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| HEAL Initiative: Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) Clinical Research Centers (UG1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 025 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative Limited Competition: Behavioral Research to Improve MAT: Ancillary Studies to Enhance Behavioral or Social Interventions to Improve Adherence to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders (R01, Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA AT 19 007 Funding Number: RFA AT 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Sleep and Circadian-Dependent Mechanisms Contributing to Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) and Response to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HL 19 029 Funding Number: RFA HL 19 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Effectiveness Trials to Optimize, Implement, Scale, and Sustain the Collaborative Care Model for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA MH 19 525 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 525 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Sleep and Circadian-Dependent Mechanisms Contributing to Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) and Response to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 19 028 Funding Number: RFA HL 19 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON): Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 101 Funding Number: PAR 19 101 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 113 Funding Number: PAR 19 113 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 111 Funding Number: PA 19 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 112 Funding Number: PA 19 112 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 130 Funding Number: PA 19 130 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Laboratories for Early Clinical Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Substance Use Disorders (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 19 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 133 Funding Number: PAR 19 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 136 Funding Number: PAR 19 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 031 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 028 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 147 Funding Number: PAR 19 147 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 146 Funding Number: PAR 19 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 159 Funding Number: PAR 19 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 153 Funding Number: PAR 19 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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