This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) aims to encourage research grant applications for initial translational efforts that will enable a drug discovery program for novel, non-opioid, and non-addictive treatments for pain. The program provides funding to develop and validate assays to support a distinct testing funnel and conduct screening efforts to identify and characterize potential therapeutic agents including small molecules, biologics, and natural products. Preliminary in vivo pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy studies may also be supported. The goal of this NOFO is to advance projects to the point where they meet the entry criteria for the Pain Therapeutics Development Program or other later-stage translational programs.
This NOFO is part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) initiative to accelerate the discovery and preclinical development of safe and effective therapeutics to treat pain with little or no addiction liability.
Deadlines:
- Letter of Intent Due Date(s): 30 days prior to the application due date
- Application Due Dates: Jan 28, 2025; May 16, 2025; Sep 17, 2025; Jan 16, 2026; May 15, 2026; Sep 17, 2026; Jan 15, 2027
RFA-NS-25-023 Expiration Date January 16, 2027
Application budgets are limited to direct costs of $350,000 per year and need to reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.
The total project period for a combined R61/R33 application submitted in response to this NOFO may not exceed three years, with no more than two years for the R61 phase and no more than two years for the R33 phase.