Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 21 015
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Novel Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders in order to Facilitate Prevention, Treatment, and Support During Recovery" (RFA-DA-21-015) is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program using the R41/R42 mechanism. Its central goal is to move beyond basic research and support small businesses in creating practical, commercializable products that measurably reduce stigma related to substance use disorders (SUD). The announcement is grounded in the idea that stigma functions as a real barrier to care: it can keep people from seeking prevention services, entering treatment, staying in treatment, or accessing the kinds of support that make recovery sustainable. By funding innovation that targets stigma directly, NIH is aiming to improve access, quality of care, and downstream health outcomes, especially in settings where SUD intersects with other high-need health issues.
The program is structured around two phases. Phase I (R41) supports early-stage work focused on developing a new product or intervention and testing whether it is feasible and promising. In practical terms, Phase I projects are expected to build and refine novel approaches such as digital technologies, services, or other interventions that could reduce stigmatizing attitudes or behaviors toward people with SUD. The emphasis is not only on creating something new, but also on demonstrating that it can work in real-world environments like clinical care settings, clinical training environments, and other relevant contexts. A key expectation in Phase I is establishing credible ways to measure stigma reduction, since stigma is often hard to quantify and can show up differently depending on the population and setting.
Phase II (R42) is designed for projects that have already demonstrated early feasibility and are ready to show stronger evidence of impact and a pathway to market. The Phase II focus is on demonstrating efficacy: applicants are expected to provide convincing data that the product or intervention decreases SUD-related stigma and can realistically be commercialized and adopted at scale. NIH highlights several use contexts for Phase II, including clinical care, clinical training programs, and other settings where stigma may interfere with prevention, treatment engagement, or recovery support. The goal at this stage is to show that the innovation does more than shift opinions in a survey; it should reduce stigma in a way that meaningfully removes barriers to SUD prevention and treatment and improves support during recovery.
A notable emphasis throughout the announcement is the relevance of HIV prevention and care settings. NIH explicitly invites applications addressing stigma in environments such as HIV clinics, prevention programs, or related care systems where people may experience overlapping stigma tied to substance use and HIV. For Phase II in particular, projects that focus on HIV prevention and care settings are encouraged not only to demonstrate reductions in SUD stigma, but also to show improved health outcomes for people living with both HIV and SUD. This reflects an integrated public health priority: stigma reduction is treated as a lever that can improve engagement in HIV services, adherence to treatment, and overall continuity of care when substance use is involved.
Eligibility is limited to small businesses, consistent with SBIR program rules. The opportunity also makes clear that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible either. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowable in some cases, meaning a U.S. small business applicant might be able to include certain foreign elements of the work if NIH policy permits and if it is well justified.
Administratively, the funding instrument is a grant under the NIH umbrella, with the opportunity categorized under education and health and associated with CFDA number 93.279. The original closing date listed for this specific announcement was February 26, 2021, and the award ceiling shown in the provided source data is $256,580. Overall, the program is aimed at translating research into usable, scalable tools or services that can reduce stigma in the places where it does the most harm, while also ensuring that funded projects have a realistic path toward commercialization and broad implementation.Apply for RFA DA 21 015
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders in order to Facilitate Prevention, Treatment, and Support During Recovery (R41/R42 - Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-12-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-02-26. (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 $256,580.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and number of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Novel Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders in order to Facilitate Prevention, Treatment, and Support During Recovery" and the funding opportunity number is RFA-DA-21-015.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program that uses the NIH R41/R42 mechanism, which corresponds to Phase I (R41) and Phase II (R42).
What is the central goal of the program?
The central goal is to move beyond basic research by supporting small businesses in creating practical, commercializable products that measurably reduce stigma related to substance use disorders (SUD). The broader intent is to reduce stigma as a barrier to prevention, treatment engagement, retention in treatment, and recovery support.
Why is stigma a focus of this grant?
The announcement is grounded in the idea that stigma functions as a real barrier to care. It can prevent people from seeking prevention services, entering treatment, staying in treatment, and accessing recovery supports. By funding innovations that directly reduce stigma, NIH aims to improve access to care, quality of care, and downstream health outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to small businesses, consistent with SBIR program rules.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are any foreign elements allowed in a project?
In some cases, foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) may be allowable. This means a U.S. small business applicant might be able to include certain foreign elements of the work if NIH policy permits and the foreign component is well justified.
What is supported in Phase I (R41)?
Phase I supports early-stage work focused on developing a new product or intervention and testing whether it is feasible and promising. Phase I projects are expected to build and refine novel approaches (such as digital technologies, services, or other interventions) intended to reduce stigmatizing attitudes or behaviors toward people with SUD.
What settings are relevant for Phase I work?
Phase I is expected to demonstrate feasibility in real-world environments such as clinical care settings, clinical training environments, and other relevant contexts where SUD-related stigma may occur.
What is a key measurement expectation in Phase I?
A key expectation is establishing credible ways to measure stigma reduction. The announcement emphasizes this because stigma can be difficult to quantify and may present differently depending on the population and setting.
What is supported in Phase II (R42)?
Phase II is intended for projects that have already demonstrated early feasibility and are ready to produce stronger evidence of impact along with a path to market. Applicants are expected to demonstrate efficacy and provide convincing data that the product or intervention decreases SUD-related stigma and can realistically be commercialized and adopted at scale.
What settings are highlighted for Phase II?
NIH highlights clinical care settings, clinical training programs, and other settings where stigma may interfere with prevention, treatment engagement, or recovery support.
What does NIH mean by showing impact beyond survey results?
The opportunity emphasizes that Phase II projects should show that stigma reduction meaningfully removes barriers to SUD prevention and treatment and improves support during recovery, rather than only shifting opinions in a survey.
Is there a special emphasis on HIV prevention and care settings?
Yes. NIH explicitly invites applications that address stigma in HIV clinics, HIV prevention programs, and related care systems where people may experience overlapping stigma tied to substance use and HIV.
What additional expectations apply to HIV-related Phase II projects?
For Phase II in particular, projects focused on HIV prevention and care settings are encouraged to demonstrate both reductions in SUD stigma and improved health outcomes for people living with both HIV and SUD. The announcement frames stigma reduction as a lever to improve engagement in HIV services, adherence to treatment, and continuity of care when substance use is involved.
What kinds of innovations does this program aim to fund?
The announcement describes novel approaches such as digital technologies, services, or other interventions designed to reduce stigmatizing attitudes or behaviors toward people with SUD. The overall focus is on translating research into usable, scalable tools or services.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant under the NIH umbrella.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under education and health.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 93.279.
What was the original closing date listed for this announcement?
The original closing date listed for this specific announcement was February 26, 2021.
What is the award ceiling shown in the provided source data?
The award ceiling shown in the provided source data is $256,580.
What is the commercialization expectation?
A consistent theme across the opportunity is commercialization and scalability. Phase I focuses on feasibility and early promise, while Phase II expects stronger evidence of efficacy and a realistic pathway for commercialization and adoption at scale.
What broader outcomes is NIH trying to improve through this program?
By reducing SUD-related stigma, NIH aims to improve access to prevention and treatment services, increase engagement and retention in care, strengthen recovery support, and improve downstream health outcomes, particularly in high-need settings where SUD intersects with other major health issues such as HIV.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DA 21 015) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Novel Approaches to Decrease Stigma of Substance Use Disorders in order to Facilitate Prevention, Treatment, and Support During Recovery (R43/R44 - Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA DA 21 016 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $256,580 |
| Music and Health: Understanding And Developing Music Medicine (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 100 Funding Number: PAR 21 100 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Leveraging Big Data Science to Elucidate the Mechanisms of HIV Activity and Interaction with Substance Use Disorder (R21 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 21 041 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 041 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Leveraging Big Data Science to Elucidate the Mechanisms of HIV Activity and Interaction with Substance Use Disorder (R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 21 040 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for PAR 21 104 Funding Number: PAR 21 104 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 21 105 Funding Number: PAR 21 105 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Optimizing Multi-Component Service Delivery Interventions for People with Opioid Use Disorder, Co-Occurring Conditions, and/or Suicide Risk (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA MH 21 145 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 145 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Integrative Management of chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR): Research Centers (RM1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 21 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 21 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| Pilot and Feasibility Studies in Preparation for Substance Use Prevention Trials (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 110 Funding Number: PA 21 110 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Exploratory studies to investigate mechanisms of HIV infection, replication, latency, and/or pathogenesis in the context of substance use disorders (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 22 004 Funding Number: RFA DA 22 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High-throughput Discovery and Validation of Novel Signal Transducers or Small Molecules that Modulate Opioid or other Substance Use Disorder Relevant Pathways (R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 22 006 Funding Number: RFA DA 22 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Cancer Prevention, Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment Technologies for Global Health (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 030 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing technologies to improve delivery of pharmacological, gene editing, and other cargoes for HIV and SUD mechanistic or therapeutic research (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 22 010 Funding Number: RFA DA 22 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 190 Funding Number: PAR 21 190 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PAR 21 318 Funding Number: PAR 21 318 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 21 111 Funding Number: PAR 21 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 128 Funding Number: PAR 21 128 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 061 Funding Number: PAR 21 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Developing Digital Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial optional) Apply for PAR 21 183 Funding Number: PAR 21 183 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| SBIR Phase IIB Bridge Awards to Accelerate the Development of Cancer-Relevant Technologies Toward Commercialization (R44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 036 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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