Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program (R03, Clinical Trial Optional)

The Science Track Award for Research Transition START Program is a federal research funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The program is issued under funding opportunity number PAS-27-028 and uses the R03 Small Grant Program activity code. START is intended to facilitate the entry of investigators into high priority areas of substance use research, including research addressing comorbidity with HIV. It provides investigators an opportunity to gather preliminary or proof of concept information that can support future research grant applications and scientific career advancement. Early stage and new investigators, investigators new to substance use research, and investigators new to HIV/AIDS research in the context of HIV and substance use are encouraged to apply. Supported work may involve basic, clinical, translational, epidemiological, or intervention science addressing substance use, misuse, addiction, drug overdose, related health outcomes, and HIV/AIDS. Projects must address one or more of five research areas: chemical and molecular probe development; brain imaging tool design and application; affective, cognitive, and behavioral science; data science and computational modeling; or HIV and substance use disorder intersection research. The program is designed for pilot studies, secondary analyses, methodology development, and small self contained projects that can produce proof of concept data and feasibility metrics for later R01 or equivalent applications. Preliminary data are not required, and proposed experiments do not have to be fully powered to test hypotheses, but applicants must provide an adequate scientific rationale and evidence supporting feasibility. Applicants may request up to 100000 in direct costs per year for a maximum project period of two years. NIDA intends to provide approximately 1000000 in total funding per fiscal year during fiscal years 2027 through 2030 and estimates making six to seven awards per fiscal year, subject to NIH appropriations and receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Cost sharing is not required. All NIH funding restrictions and applicable NIH Grants Policy Statement requirements apply, including rules governing pre-award costs. Applications that do not involve substance use or substance use disorders, do not address at least one of the five identified research areas, focus solely on alcohol related outcomes, or evaluate, support, or promote substance use disorder harm reduction models are nonresponsive and will not be reviewed. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, other for profit organizations, state and local governments, special district governments, federally recognized and other tribal governments, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, independent school districts, public and Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, faith based or community based organizations, regional organizations, and foreign organizations. Foreign components are allowed, but applications involving foreign subawards or subcontracts are noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. Applicant organizations may submit more than one application when each is scientifically distinct. Individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources may serve as PD or PI through an eligible applicant organization. Applications must follow the Research R Instructions in the NIH How to Apply Application Guide together with the program specific requirements in the funding announcement. Required materials include the applicable SF424 R&R forms, budget materials, PHS 398 Research Plan, Resource Sharing Plan requirements, and other forms applicable to the proposed project. A Data Management and Sharing Plan is required when the proposed NIH funded research will generate scientific data. Human subjects and clinical trials documentation is required when applicable. Applications must be submitted electronically using NIH ASSIST, an institutional system to system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace and tracked through eRA Commons. Required organizational registrations must be completed before submission, and applicants are encouraged to submit early enough to correct electronic errors before the applicable deadline. Scientific and technical merit will be assessed through NIH peer review. Reviewers consider the importance of the research, including significance and innovation; rigor and feasibility of the approach; and investigator expertise and institutional resources. Additional considerations may include human subjects protections, vertebrate animals, biohazards, authentication of key biological or chemical resources, and whether the requested budget and period of support are justified. Funding decisions also consider scientific and technical merit, availability of funds, and relevance to program priorities. Recommended applications receive a second level of review by the appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The opportunity was posted June 9, 2026, and the earliest submission date is September 16, 2026. Standard new application due dates begin October 16, 2026, with additional listed cycles through February 16, 2029; corresponding resubmission dates begin November 16, 2026. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, and the opportunity expires March 17, 2029. For the first listed cycle, scientific merit review is anticipated in March 2027, Advisory Council review in May 2027, and the earliest project start in July 2027. Scientific and research questions may be directed to the NIDA CPP Program at NIDACPPProgram@mail.nih.gov. Financial and grants management questions may be directed to nidagmbemail@nida.nih.gov.

Align the project with at least one of the five specified research areas and ensure it involves substance use or substance use disorders. Do not submit studies focused solely on alcohol outcomes or studies that evaluate, support, or promote harm reduction models. Emphasize significance and innovation, rigor and feasibility, investigator expertise, and appropriate institutional resources. Preliminary data are not required, but the scientific rationale and feasibility should be supported by literature or other relevant information. Submit early enough to correct electronic submission errors before the deadline.