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

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 26 001

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-26-001) supports R01 research projects that will run clinical trials to test new and practical 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. The core idea is not simply to study whether SBIRT/P works in theory, but to prospectively test real-world approaches that improve how SBIRT/P is delivered, adopted, and sustained in settings that serve populations facing unequal health burdens. The Office of Disease Prevention (ODP), along with participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, is looking for implementation-focused innovations that can identify risky substance use earlier, intervene efficiently, and connect people to treatment or prevention services when needed.

SBIRT/P, as defined for this announcement, includes three linked steps: first, screening people to assess risk for ATOD use and misuse; second, a brief intervention, usually a structured but conversational discussion intended to raise awareness, motivate change, and reduce harm; and third, referral to treatment or prevention services for individuals who need more support. The opportunity emphasizes that proposed research should involve prospective tests of SBIRT/P strategies, meaning 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. Because the NOFO is labeled "Clinical Trial Required," applications are expected to include a clinical trial component consistent with NIH definitions, which generally means participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention (or implementation strategy) to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes or key implementation outcomes.

A major expectation is collaboration. Projects should leverage partnerships with healthcare organizations and community-based partners, reflecting the reality that adults experiencing health disparities often interact with multiple systems beyond traditional clinics. Competitive applications will likely be those that are grounded in the workflows, constraints, and priorities of the settings where SBIRT/P will occur, and that meaningfully involve local stakeholders who can help tailor approaches for cultural fit, feasibility, and long-term sustainability. The notice also states that participating NIH ICOs have specific interests detailed in the full announcement, so applicants are expected to align their aims with those institute-specific priorities when selecting substances of focus, target populations, settings, outcomes, and study designs.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations: 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. The NOFO explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants that are often central to disparity-focused work, including 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, signaling an interest in reaching diverse communities and service systems.

Restrictions related to foreign involvement are clear. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant can include certain international elements in the project when well-justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though the primary applicant organization must be domestic.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant mechanism under NIH using the R01 activity code. It falls under education and health-related funding activity categories and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, and 93.399. The opportunity was created on 2024-10-17, and the original closing date listed is 2027-05-07, giving applicants a multi-year window to prepare submissions according to NIH receipt dates and cycles specified in the full NOFO. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided excerpt, and the expected number of awards is not listed, which is common for NIH announcements where budgets are often guided by institute norms, project scope, and program priorities rather than a single published cap.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at moving SBIRT/P from a general evidence-based concept into better, more equitable practice by funding clinical trial research that tests implementation approaches in real settings serving adults affected by health disparities. Applications that are likely to fit best are those that propose rigorous, prospective evaluations of innovative SBIRT/P delivery or implementation strategies, include strong community and healthcare collaborations, and clearly address barriers that prevent consistent screening, effective brief intervention, and successful linkage to treatment or prevention services for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and misuse.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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.

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