Alcohol Health Services Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 25 245

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 245

The Alcohol Health Services Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 25 245) is a National Institutes of Health grant run through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). It supports health services research aimed at reducing the large treatment gap for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), meaning the persistent problem that many individuals who could benefit from evidence-based care either cannot access it, do not stay engaged, or never enter treatment at all. The mechanism is an R01, so it is designed for substantial, hypothesis-driven projects that can generate strong evidence relevant to real-world service systems. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial or studies that do not, as long as the work fits the health services research scope.

Program priorities are organized around five main emphasis areas, all tied to closing the AUD treatment gap. First, NIAAA is looking for projects that increase access to treatment, which can include tackling practical barriers such as provider availability, geographic reach, referral pathways, wait times, care integration in primary care or emergency settings, and the use of telehealth or other delivery models that expand capacity. Second, the NOFO highlights making treatment more appealing, reflecting the reality that stigma, low perceived need, dissatisfaction with available options, and mismatch between patient preferences and services can suppress demand and retention; strong applications in this area would typically examine ways to improve engagement, acceptability, patient-centered care, and sustained participation. Third, NIAAA specifically calls for research on cost structures and insurance systems, signaling interest in how financing, reimbursement, benefit design, prior authorization, network adequacy, and other payer policies shape whether people can obtain and continue AUD care, and how costs and incentives influence provider and system behavior. Fourth, the NOFO emphasizes dissemination and implementation research focused on getting existing evidence-based AUD approaches into routine practice at scale, which can involve implementation strategies, organizational readiness, workforce training, fidelity and adaptation, and studies of how to sustain interventions across diverse service settings. Fifth, a core goal is reducing health disparities by addressing the treatment gap for health disparity populations, encouraging research that identifies and mitigates inequities in access, quality, engagement, and outcomes, including structural barriers and system-level factors that contribute to unequal care.

The funding instrument is a discretionary grant in the health category (CFDA 93.273). The listed award ceiling is $500,000. The opportunity is broadly open to a wide range of applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/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 other than federally recognized governments; public housing and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations. The NOFO also explicitly welcomes additional applicant groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an interest in diverse implementers and settings.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of 2026-09-07 and a posting/creation date of 2024-11-27. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as support for rigorous, systems-focused research that can measurably improve how AUD treatment is financed, delivered, adopted, and experienced, with a strong emphasis on practical impact and on narrowing inequities in access and outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alcohol Health Services Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-07. (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 $500,000.00 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 PA 25 245

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