Specialized Alcohol Research Centers (P50 Clinical trial Optional)

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers funding through the Specialized Alcohol Research Centers program (P50 mechanism, Clinical Trial Optional) under opportunity number RFA-AA-27-001. This initiative reflects the NIAAA’s long-standing commitment to promoting interdisciplinary, collaborative research focused on the misuse of alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and alcohol-related health impacts across the human lifespan. The Centers funded under this program are designed to foster integration among researchers, support methodological innovation, and mentor emerging investigators, thereby producing a collective impact greater than the sum of individual projects. The core mission of these Specialized Centers is to generate a concentrated research effort in priority areas aligned with NIAAA's overarching goals. This includes but is not limited to research on the etiology, genetics, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of alcohol misuse and AUD, as well as associated biomedical, psychosocial, and economic consequences. Centers are expected to advance the understanding of end-organ damage from alcohol, such as liver and cardiovascular diseases, and explore emerging approaches in neuroscience, behavioral health, and translational medicine. Notably, they also play a vital role in developing new research technologies and frameworks that expand the field’s scientific capacity. The funding opportunity encourages a highly collaborative structure, with centers required to involve multiple investigators across disciplines. Each center must demonstrate strong scientific leadership, infrastructure for multi-project support, and a strategic plan for sustaining research productivity. A key expectation is that funded centers actively contribute to research training by mentoring junior scientists and facilitating their integration into the broader alcohol research ecosystem. Funding is offered via a grant mechanism, and the opportunity is classified as discretionary. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. While the estimated total program funding, award ceiling, and award floor have not yet been published, the grant mechanism suggests substantial funding in line with other NIH P50 awards. Eligible applicants span a wide range of entities, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit entities (including small businesses), tribal organizations and governments, as well as state, county, and municipal governments. Faith-based and community-based organizations and U.S. territories are also eligible. The forecasted estimated post date is May 15, 2026, with applications due by September 15, 2026. Awards are projected to be announced by June 1, 2027, and funded projects will begin by July 1, 2027. The opportunity is currently forecasted, and no pre-application or concept paper is required based on current information. Contact for questions or further information is Philippe Marmillot, reachable at 301-443-2861 or via email at NIAAAOEA@mail.nih.gov. Given its comprehensive scope and cross-disciplinary emphasis, the Specialized Alcohol Research Centers program represents a strategic avenue for institutions to develop large-scale research capacity in alcohol-related science, contributing meaningfully to the national effort in mitigating the health and societal impacts of alcohol misuse.