Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use and misuse in adult populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 26 001

FAQs: NIH PAR-26-001 (R01) - SBIRT/P Implementation Clinical Trials for Adults Experiencing Health Disparities

1) What is this funding opportunity (PAR-26-001) about?

This NIH funding opportunity supports R01 research projects that will run clinical trials to test new, practical, real-world ways to implement Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) in adults who experience health disparities.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The goal is to move SBIRT/P from an evidence-based concept into more effective and equitable everyday practice. The focus is on improving how SBIRT/P is delivered, adopted, and sustained in real settings that serve adults facing unequal health burdens, rather than only asking whether SBIRT/P works in theory.

3) Which substances does the opportunity focus on?

The announcement focuses on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). Applicants are expected to align substance focus with the interests of participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) described in the full announcement.

4) Who is the target population for these projects?

The target population is adults who experience health disparities. The opportunity is designed for research that addresses unequal health burdens and improves SBIRT/P implementation in the settings serving these populations.

5) What does SBIRT/P mean in this announcement?

SBIRT/P includes three linked steps: (1) screening to assess risk for ATOD use and misuse; (2) brief intervention, typically a structured but conversational discussion intended to raise awareness, motivate change, and reduce harm; and (3) referral to treatment or prevention services for individuals who need additional support.

6) What kinds of projects are encouraged?

The opportunity encourages implementation-focused innovations that can help identify risky substance use earlier, intervene efficiently, and connect people to treatment or prevention services when needed. Projects should be grounded in the workflows, constraints, and priorities of the real-world settings where SBIRT/P will be implemented.

7) Does the NOFO require a clinical trial?

Yes. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Required," meaning applications are expected to include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions.

8) What does "Clinical Trial Required" mean here?

It generally means participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention (or an implementation strategy) so the study can evaluate effects on health-related outcomes or key implementation outcomes.

9) Are observational or retrospective studies acceptable?

The opportunity emphasizes prospective tests of SBIRT/P strategies. Applicants should design studies that actively implement and evaluate SBIRT/P approaches over time rather than relying only on retrospective data or purely observational designs.

10) What is meant by "implementation-focused" research in this NOFO?

Implementation-focused research in this context prioritizes testing real-world approaches that improve delivery, adoption, and sustainability of SBIRT/P, especially in settings serving adults experiencing health disparities. The emphasis is on practical methods that work within real service systems.

11) Are partnerships required or strongly encouraged?

Collaboration is a major expectation. Projects should leverage partnerships with healthcare organizations and community-based partners to reflect that adults experiencing health disparities often interact with multiple systems beyond traditional clinical care.

12) Why does the NOFO emphasize community-based and healthcare collaborations?

The announcement highlights that meaningful involvement of local stakeholders can improve cultural fit, feasibility, and long-term sustainability of SBIRT/P approaches. Strong partnerships also help ensure interventions fit the workflows and priorities of the implementing settings.

13) What kinds of settings are relevant for SBIRT/P implementation under this opportunity?

The NOFO points to "real settings serving adults affected by health disparities" and emphasizes healthcare organizations and community-based partners. It also notes that adults experiencing health disparities often interact with multiple systems beyond traditional clinics.

14) Do applicants need to tailor SBIRT/P strategies for cultural fit and feasibility?

Yes. Competitive projects are expected to meaningfully involve local stakeholders who can help tailor approaches for cultural fit, feasibility, and long-term sustainability.

15) How important is alignment with participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs)?

It is explicitly important. The notice states that participating NIH ICOs have specific interests detailed in the full announcement, and applicants are expected to align aims with those institute-specific priorities when selecting substances, populations, settings, outcomes, and study designs.

16) What grant mechanism is being used?

This is a discretionary NIH grant using the R01 activity code.

17) What are the eligible applicant organization types?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations, including: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other eligible entities.

18) Are minority-serving institutions and community organizations eligible?

Yes. The NOFO explicitly highlights eligible applicants such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also includes faith-based and community-based organizations.

19) Are U.S. territories eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions.

20) Can federal agencies apply?

Yes. The NOFO includes eligible federal agencies among eligible applicants.

21) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations.

22) Can a U.S. organization apply if it has a non-U.S. component?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.

23) Are any international elements allowed in a project?

Yes. Foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed when well-justified and compliant with NIH policy, but the primary applicant organization must be domestic.

24) When was this opportunity created and what is the listed closing date?

The opportunity was created on 2024-10-17, and the original closing date listed is 2027-05-07. Applicants should still follow the NIH receipt dates and cycles specified in the full NOFO.

25) Is there a published award ceiling or expected number of awards?

Not in the provided information. The excerpt notes that the award ceiling is not specified and the expected number of awards is not listed, which can be typical for NIH announcements where budgets depend on scope and institute norms.

26) Which funding activity categories and CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with education and health-related funding activity categories and includes CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, and 93.399.

27) What makes an application likely to be a strong fit, based on the description provided?

Strong-fit applications are likely to propose rigorous, prospective clinical trial evaluations of innovative SBIRT/P delivery or implementation strategies, demonstrate strong community and healthcare collaborations, align with participating NIH ICO priorities, and directly address barriers to consistent screening, effective brief intervention, and successful linkage to treatment or prevention services for ATOD use and misuse.