Introduction to Funding
Successful funding applications start by selecting the appropriate funding opportunity, grant type, and grant program.
Types of Funding Opportunities
Investigators propose research projects in response to a Funding Opportunity Announcement, usually either Program Announcements (PAs) or a Request for Applications (RFAs):
-
Program Announcements
PAs describe broad research areas of particular interest to NIDA, and applicants compete for available funds. PAs are valid for several years, and applications can be submitted at any time. -
Request for Applications
When NIDA issues RFAs, the Institute has set aside funds for applications focused on a specific research area, and applications are due relatively quickly after RFAs are issued. A Letter of Intent may be required before a complete application can be submitted.
Grant Types
International research can be supported through several types of grants from NIDA, including these two options:
-
Domestic Grants With a Foreign Component
Most international research is supported by Domestic Grants With a Foreign Component, which enable U.S.-based principal investigators to conduct cooperative international studies with foreign partners. The foreign component is part of the grant; the entire application is scored competitively. -
Direct Foreign Grants
These are grants awarded directly to institutions outside of the United States. These grants allow researchers from outside the United States to compete for funding within the NIH system. The actual research is conducted outside the United States. For a grant to be awarded to a foreign institution, the principal investigator must demonstrate a special opportunity to further drug abuse research through use of expertise, resources, populations, or environmental conditions not readily available in the United States.
Grant Programs
Most grants fall into one of three programs:
-
Research Project Grants, R01s
Provide 3 to 5 years of support to investigators who have preliminary data. -
Small Grants, R03s
Provide up to 2 years of funding to obtain preliminary data that support a hypothesis that will likely lead to a major Research Project Grant. -
Exploratory/Developmental Research Grants, R21s
Support 1- or 2-year exploratory research to test a hypothesis that could yield a significant breakthrough.
Important Dates
NIDA International Forum
June 14–17, 2013
Online Registration Deadline:
May 6, 2013
FELLOWSHIPS
IAS/NIDA Fellowships
Application Deadline:
February 10, 2013
NIDA International Program Fellowships
Application Deadline:
April 1, 2013
Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars
Application Deadlines: Vary
GRANTS
Brain Disorders in the Developing World: Research Across the Lifespan
(Non-AIDS)
R01 PAR-11-030and R21 PAR-11-031
Application deadline:
February 14, 2013
MEETINGS
American Association for the Advancement of Science
February 14–18, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
International Drug Abuse Research Society (IDARS)
April 15–19, 2013
Mexico City, Mexico
2013 International Conference on Global Health: Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse and HIV
April 17–19, 2013
Taipei, Taiwan
Yih-Ing Hser, Ph.D.