Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TR 22 013
The Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative - New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity issued by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) in direct response to the federally declared public health emergency tied to the opioid crisis. The program sits under the broader Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative and is meant to accelerate bold, high-impact biomedical research that can change the trajectory of pain management, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose (OD) outcomes. The intent is not incremental progress or routine extensions of existing work, but genuinely novel ideas that could reshape thinking in the field or open new directions that are currently underexplored.
At its core, this opportunity supports postdoctoral researchers or newly independent Early Stage Investigators who show exceptional creativity and are ready to propose original research concepts with the potential for major impact. The emphasis is on innovation: projects that test scientific paradigms, challenge prevailing assumptions, or advance key concepts relevant to pain, OUD, and/or overdose. NCATS explicitly encourages proposals that bring together unexpected combinations of disciplines (for example, engineering plus behavioral science, computational methods plus clinical insight, or novel chemistry with implementation considerations), introduce new scientific directions, or rely on novel methodologies that could unlock faster or more effective solutions. Even though the program is framed as an emergency response, the scientific bar is still high and the expectation is that funded work will meaningfully move the broader research ecosystem forward.
A key limitation is embedded in the title: "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." That means applicants must design projects that do not meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial. In practical terms, the research can still be translational and human-relevant, but it must avoid interventional human studies where participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes. This pushes applicants toward mechanistic studies, preclinical research, tool and technology development, data-driven analyses, observational approaches, or other non-trial designs that can still have clear relevance to pain, OUD, or overdose.
In terms of organizational eligibility, the FOA is broadly open across government, education, nonprofit, and private-sector entities in the United States. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities. It also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. Tribal participation is also supported: federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, as are Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also highlights additional eligible categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, certain eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Foreign participation is explicitly restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In effect, the work and the organizational structure must remain domestically based, without foreign subcomponents that NIH would treat as a foreign component of the project.
Administrative details in the source information indicate this is a discretionary grant mechanism under an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) numbered RFA-TR-22-013. The original closing date listed is April 19, 2023, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $1,500,000. Multiple CFDA (now Assistance Listing) numbers are associated with the opportunity, reflecting NIH program authorities that can support this kind of research across translational science and health-related domains (including 93.213, 93.273, 93.350, 93.393, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866). While the source excerpt does not specify the exact number of expected awards, the ceiling indicates that NIH intends to fund substantial, ambitious projects with enough support to enable real leaps in capability or understanding.
Overall, the program can be read as an emergency-driven innovation engine: it targets early-career scientific leaders and asks them to bring forward daring, creative, methodologically fresh research ideas that could materially change how the biomedical community understands or addresses pain, opioid use disorder, and overdose, while staying within a non-clinical-trial scope and within strictly domestic eligibility boundaries.Apply for RFA TR 22 013
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative- New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.273, 93.350, 93.393, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-01-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-04-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- 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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FAQs: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative - New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
What is the Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative - New Innovator Award?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity under the Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative, issued by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). It is positioned as an emergency response to the federally declared public health emergency tied to the opioid crisis and is intended to accelerate bold, high-impact biomedical research related to pain management, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose (OD).
Which NIH organization is issuing this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a component of NIH.
What is the broader initiative this award belongs to?
This program sits under the broader NIH Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative.
What is the goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to support genuinely novel, high-impact research ideas that could change the trajectory of outcomes related to pain, OUD, and overdose. The emphasis is on innovation that can reshape thinking in the field or open underexplored directions, rather than incremental progress or routine extensions of existing work.
Who is this award intended for?
It is intended for postdoctoral researchers or newly independent Early Stage Investigators who demonstrate exceptional creativity and propose original research concepts with the potential for major impact.
What kinds of projects are encouraged?
Projects are encouraged that test scientific paradigms, challenge prevailing assumptions, or advance key concepts relevant to pain, OUD, and/or overdose. The program explicitly encourages unexpected combinations of disciplines and novel methodologies that could unlock faster or more effective solutions.
Does the program encourage interdisciplinary research?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly encourages combining unexpected disciplines (for example, engineering plus behavioral science, computational methods plus clinical insight, or novel chemistry with implementation considerations) and introducing new scientific directions or methodologies.
Are incremental or extension projects a good fit?
No. The stated intent is not incremental progress or routine extensions of existing work. The expectation is that the funded work will meaningfully move the broader research ecosystem forward through bold, high-impact innovation.
What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for applicants?
"Clinical Trial Not Allowed" means applicants must design projects that do not meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial. Specifically, proposals must avoid interventional human studies where participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes.
Can the proposed research still be translational or human-relevant?
Yes. The description indicates research can still be translational and human-relevant, but it must avoid study designs that NIH would define as a clinical trial.
What types of study designs may fit given the non-clinical-trial limitation?
The opportunity points applicants toward mechanistic studies, preclinical research, tool and technology development, data-driven analyses, observational approaches, and other non-trial designs that remain relevant to pain, OUD, and/or overdose.
What research topics are within scope?
Projects should be relevant to pain management, opioid use disorder (OUD), and/or overdose (OD), with an emphasis on work that could materially change understanding or approaches in these areas.
What is the FOA number for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number provided is RFA-TR-22-013.
What type of federal funding mechanism is this?
The source information describes it as a discretionary grant mechanism under an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount listed is $1,500,000.
When is (or was) the closing date?
The original closing date listed in the provided information is April 19, 2023.
Does the provided information state how many awards NIH expects to make?
No. The excerpt does not specify the number of expected awards, but it does note a substantial award ceiling, suggesting support for ambitious projects.
Which organizations are eligible to apply (in general)?
Eligibility is broadly open across U.S.-based government, education, nonprofit, and private-sector entities, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, outside higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are also included as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights U.S. territories or possessions among additional eligible categories.
Are certain institution types specifically highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible categories including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, certain eligible federal agencies, and regional organizations.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are explicitly not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-domestic component?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
Does the opportunity allow foreign components as part of the project?
No. The provided information states that foreign components (as NIH defines them) are not allowed, meaning the work and organizational structure must remain domestically based without foreign subcomponents that NIH would treat as a foreign component of the project.
Which Assistance Listing (CFDA) numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (now Assistance Listing) numbers: 93.213, 93.273, 93.350, 93.393, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, and 93.866.
Why are multiple Assistance Listing numbers associated with one opportunity?
The provided description indicates the multiple listings reflect NIH program authorities that can support this kind of research across translational science and health-related domains.
How should applicants think about the "emergency" framing?
Although it is framed as an emergency response to the opioid crisis, the description indicates the scientific bar remains high, and funded work is expected to meaningfully advance the broader research ecosystem related to pain, OUD, and overdose.
What is the overall "spirit" of the award based on the description?
The program is presented as an emergency-driven innovation engine targeting early-career scientific leaders and inviting daring, creative, methodologically fresh research ideas with the potential to materially change how the biomedical community understands or addresses pain, OUD, and overdose, while staying within non-clinical-trial scope and strict domestic eligibility boundaries.
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|---|
| HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Functional Evaluation of Human Pain-associated Genes and Cells (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 018 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Interdisciplinary Team Science to Uncover the Mechanisms of Pain Relief by Medical Devices (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 23 003 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Development and Validation of Non-Rodent Mammalian Models of Pain(R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 070 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 070 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Catalyst Award for Early-Stage Investigators (ESIs) Pursuing Research on HIV Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications (DP1- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 024 Funding Number: PAR 23 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research (AIPrN) Institutional Research Training Programs (T32) Apply for RFA OD 22 027 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 23 003 Funding Number: RFA OD 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Enhancing the Use of the All of Us Research Programs Data (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA PM 23 001 Funding Number: RFA PM 23 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Grants to Enhance the Use of the All of Us Research Programs Data (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA PM 23 002 Funding Number: RFA PM 23 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 137 Funding Number: PAR 23 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative- New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA TR 23 011 Funding Number: RFA TR 23 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Interdisciplinary Team Science to Uncover the Mechanisms of Pain Relief by Medical Devices (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 23 028 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: HEAL KIDS (Knowledge, Innovation and Discovery Studies) Pain: Acute Pain Clinical Trials Program (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA HD 24 011 Funding Number: RFA HD 24 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 24 019 Funding Number: RFA NS 24 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 075 Funding Number: PAR 24 075 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Human Required) Apply for PAR 24 076 Funding Number: PAR 24 076 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 25 012 Funding Number: RFA NS 25 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Advancing HIV service delivery through pharmacies and pharmacists (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 25 185 Funding Number: RFA MH 25 185 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH HEAL Initiative PainCare Clinician Training Program (PCTP): Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Awards (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) Apply for PAR 24 217 Funding Number: PAR 24 217 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Time-Sensitive Obesity Policy and Program Evaluation (R01) Apply for PAR 15 346 Funding Number: PAR 15 346 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 25 023 Funding Number: RFA NS 25 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $350,000 |
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