The NIAAA small grant (R03) and exploratory/developmental grant (R21) programs provide limited support for exploring the feasibility of innovative or creative research questions within the research interests of the NIAAA. This includes basic and applied research on biochemical, physiological, genetic, and behavioral mechanisms leading to pathological drinking behavior; mechanisms of alcohol-induced organ damage, including fetal injury; and clinical, behavioral, and epidemiological approaches to more effective diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcoholism, alcohol abuse and alcohol-related problems. While applications may involve a wide variety of biomedical, behavioral, clinical, sociocultural, or other disciplines, relevance to the mission of the NIAAA must be clear.

Research Areas of Interest

Examples of studies suitable for the small grant or exploratory/developmental grant mechanism include, but are not limited to:

• Studies on the etiology of alcoholism;
• Validation of alcohol-related behavioral phenotypes suitable for genetic analysis;
• Development of new models to study alcohol preferences, reinforcement, tolerance and craving at different life stages;
• Development of improved methods, either biological or behavioral, for identifying individuals at risk for alcohol abuse/alcoholism or its medical consequences;
• Development of prototypic therapeutic agents to reduce alcohol consumption, reverse craving, reduce acute intoxication, and prevent withdrawal-related brain damage;
• Development of prototypic therapeutic agents to prevent or treat the medical consequences of alcohol abuse, including effects on the developing fetus;
• Pilot clinical trials to evaluate the potential efficacy of new pharmacological or behavioral approaches to treatment or prevention of alcohol-related problems;
• Studies to test putative markers of alcohol consumption or markers of fetal alcohol exposure;
• Evaluation of new approaches to study mechanisms of organ and tissue injury, such as liver, pancreas, heart, brain, and fetus;
• Development, modification, or enhancement of instruments, techniques, or analytic strategies to assist in alcoholism treatment or epidemiologic or prevention studies;
• Planning grants or pilot testing for clinical trials, prevention programs, genetic studies, or epidemiological studies; and
• Secondary analyses of large data sets to test new hypotheses.

Full Text of R03 and R21 Program Announcements

• Parent Announcements (For Unsolicited or Investigator-Initiated Applications)
• Active Joint Research Grant Program Announcements with Other Institutes

Additional Information on NIAAA Specific Research Areas

• Structural Interventions, Alcohol Use, and Risk of HIV/AIDS (R03 and R21)
• Secondary Analysis of Existing Alcohol Epidemiology Data (R03 and R21)
• Mechanisms of Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver (Steatosis)(R21)
• Mechanisms of Alcoholism Pancreatitis (R21)
• Mechanisms of Alcohol-Induced Tissue Injury (R21)
  

NIAAA Staff Contacts for Additional Information

Direct your questions about scientific/research issues to:

Vivian B. Faden, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2085, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
(for federal express/courier use - Rockville, MD 20852-1705)
Tel: 301-594-6232
Fax: 301-443-8614
E-mail: vfaden@mail.nih.gov

Joanne B. Fertig, Ph.D.
Division of Treatment and Recovery Research
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2043, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
(for federal express/courier use - Rockville, MD 20852-1705)
Tel: 301-443-0635
Fax: 301-443-8774
E-mail: jfertig@mail.nih.gov

H. Joe Wang, Ph.D.
Division of Metabolism and Health Effects
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2034, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
(for federal express/courier use - Rockville, MD 20852-1705)
Tel: 301-451-0747
Fax: 301-594-0673
E-mail: wangh4@mail.nih.gov

Dennis A. Twombly, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Behavior
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 2048, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
(for federal express/courier use - Rockville, MD 20852-1705)
Tel: 301-443-9334
Fax: 301-443-1650
E-mail: dtwombly@mail.nih.gov

Direct your questions about financial or grants management matters to:

Judy S. Fox
Chief, Grants Management Branch
Office of Extramural Activities
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
5635 Fishers Lane, Room 3023C 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304
(for federal express/courier use - Rockville, MD 20852-1705)
Tel: 301-443-4704
Fax: 301-443-3891
E-mail: jfox@mail.nih.gov

Updated: November 2008