Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: Phase 2

The Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: Phase 2 is a forecasted federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) providing the program contact. The opportunity is identified as RFA-DA-28-001 and is expected to use a cooperative agreement funding instrument under Assistance Listing 93.279, Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs. NIDA seeks to further advance its mission in single cell biology by building on the research foundation established through the first phase of the SCORCH consortium. Since 2020, the NIDA-funded SCORCH consortium has generated single-nucleus datasets using human and animal postmortem brain tissue under conditions involving HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, and substance exposure. Examples of the substance exposures identified by NIDA include opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabinoids. Phase 2 is intended to build on this foundation by encouraging research that addresses critical questions concerning substance use disorders and their interactions with HIV disease progression at the subcellular, cellular, or circuit levels in the central nervous system. The research scope includes the use of cutting-edge single cell approaches that can support novel hypothesis-generating studies. Examples identified in the forecast include investigation of RNA splicing, non-coding RNAs, epigenomic or proteomic features, subcellular or synaptic localization and function, spatial interactions, cell-cell communication, and cellular connectivity. NIDA also anticipates data-mining studies that identify candidate mechanisms or targets contributing to HIV and substance use disorder interactions, as well as hypothesis-driven studies assessing functional significance. The expected scientific outcome is improved mechanistic understanding of substance use disorders and HIV in the central nervous system and identification of targets for novel therapies. The forecast does not provide additional restrictions on allowable costs, indirect costs, subawards, or other spending categories. No cost sharing or matching is required. The opportunity provides broad organizational eligibility. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. Additional eligible applicants include eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations. The forecast estimates total program funding of $5,000,000 and approximately eight awards. The stated award ceiling is $1,000,000, while no award floor is provided. The opportunity is currently only a forecast, so detailed application mechanics, required proposal components, application questions, required uploads, and formal evaluation criteria are not yet provided in the source material. The estimated posting date is February 1, 2027, and the estimated application due date is June 8, 2027. Because the opportunity has not yet been posted, applicants should treat these dates as estimates rather than final solicitation deadlines. The estimated award date is April 1, 2028, and the estimated project start date is also April 1, 2028. The fiscal year identified for the opportunity is 2028. No recurring or annually repeating application cycle is stated, and no letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified in the forecast. The listed program contact is the National Institute on Drug Abuse, with applicants instructed to contact the NIDA Genetics, Epigenetics, and Development Branch Program Staff by email at NIDA_GED_Program@nida.nih.gov. No individual contact person or telephone number is provided.

Applicants should align proposed research with NIDA's stated interest in mechanistic questions involving substance use disorders and HIV in the central nervous system, including data-mining or hypothesis-driven studies using advanced single-cell approaches. The forecast does not provide formal review criteria or application instructions.