NIDA Avenir Program: Fundamental Mechanistic Research in Addiction Science

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is expanding its Avenir Program to fund early‑stage investigators (ESIs) who propose bold, mechanistic research on Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). The program targets high‑risk, high‑reward projects that may lack preliminary data for an R01 but demonstrate strong potential to advance understanding of genetic, epigenetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, chemical, pharmacological, behavioral, or cognitive mechanisms of addiction. Up to five awards will be made, each with a ceiling of $375,000, for a total estimated funding pool of $3 million. Applications are due May 26 2027, with awards expected April 1 2028 and project start on the same date. The initiative seeks innovative wet‑lab and/or data‑science approaches and encourages applicants from outside the traditional addiction field. • Target audience: early‑stage investigators (ESIs) in academia, nonprofit, tribal, or other eligible entities. • Funding: up to $375 k per award; total $3 M across 5 awards. • Research scope: genetics, epigenetics, molecular/cellular biology, neurocircuitry, pharmacology, behavior, cognition related to SUDs. • Submission deadline: May 26 2027; award decision April 1 2028. • No cost‑sharing required; open to a wide range of eligible institutions.