NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial/Ethnic Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 23 023

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 23 023

NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial/Ethnic Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity (RFA-DA-23-023) under NIDAs broader Racial Equity Initiative (REI). The REI is positioned as a multi-year, multi-part effort aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating racial inequities not only in NIDAs workplace and scientific workforce, but also across the research portfolio it funds. In practical terms, this FOA is designed to push the field toward research that more directly confronts why HIV disparities persist in the context of substance use, especially among underserved racial and ethnic populations.

The central goal of the announcement is to stimulate new research, both observational and intervention-focused, that examines the structural and contextual drivers of inequity where HIV and substance use overlap. Rather than emphasizing only individual behavior change, the FOA highlights upstream influences such as structural factors (for example, racism and discrimination as they operate through systems), organizational practices (how clinics, service programs, or justice settings function in ways that create unequal access or outcomes), and policies (local, state, federal, or institutional rules that shape risk environments and service availability). It also explicitly calls attention to broader social, cultural, and contextual influences, signaling an interest in research that captures real-world conditions that shape HIV prevention, care, and substance use outcomes.

A major theme of the FOA is intersectionality, meaning the expectation that applicants consider how multiple dimensions of identity and social position interact. The announcement encourages research that addresses intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity, along with the way overlapping social systems affect people differently depending on where they sit within those systems. In other words, competitive projects are expected to move beyond single-factor explanations and instead examine how combined forces (for example, racialization plus stigma around substance use plus barriers faced by sexual and gender minority groups) contribute to inequitable HIV outcomes.

The funding mechanism is an NIH R01 research project grant, and the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means an applicant may propose a study that includes a clinical trial, but a clinical trial is not required. This flexibility supports a range of designs, including observational studies (such as cohort studies, mixed-methods community assessments, or analyses of policy impacts) as well as intervention research (such as testing strategies to change organizational workflows, improve linkage to HIV prevention or treatment for people who use substances, or reduce structural barriers that undermine equitable care). The activity category is listed under Education and Health, and the associated CFDA number is 93.279.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based applicants across government, education, and community sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those specific nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also emphasizes inclusion of institutions and organizations that often serve populations most affected by HIV and substance use inequities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also calls out faith-based and community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies as potential applicants, reflecting an intent to support research grounded in community settings and real service systems.

The FOA places clear limits on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means U.S. applicant organizations may include certain types of foreign involvement when appropriately justified and compliant with NIH rules.

Key administrative details from the source information include that the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the original closing date was November 30, 2022, and the opportunity category is discretionary with the funding instrument type listed as a grant. Award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided record. The opportunity was created on August 9, 2022.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA REI: Reaching Equity at the Intersection of HIV and Substance Use: Novel Approaches to Address HIV Related Health Disparities in Underserved Racial/Ethnic Populations (R01 Clinical Trial 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 2022-08-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for RFA DA 23 023

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: