Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 24 299

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 299

The Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR-24-299, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant that supports research focused on developing and rigorously testing behavioral interventions for drug abuse and related health outcomes. The core aim is to move behavioral treatment approaches forward through well-designed intervention development and evaluation work, including studies that test whether an intervention is effective (efficacy research), that run clinical trials when appropriate, and that dig into how and why behavior change happens. A major emphasis is on improving real-world treatment results by refining intervention components, understanding mechanisms of action, and building a clearer evidence base for how to deliver behavioral care in ways that maximize impact for people with substance use problems.

This FOA is centered on behavioral intervention development research that can include, but is not limited to, Stage II and Stage III efficacy studies. In practical terms, this means the program is interested in projects that are beyond early idea formation and pilot testing and are ready for more definitive testing of whether an intervention works, for whom it works, and under what conditions. Applicants are encouraged to design studies that examine mechanisms of behavior change (for example, what psychological, social, or contextual factors are actually driving improvement), evaluate dose-response relationships (such as how much intervention exposure is needed to produce benefit), and pursue treatment optimization strategies (like identifying the most effective combination of components or the most efficient delivery schedule). The opportunity also supports research on sequencing strategies, such as determining the best order to deliver behavioral treatments alongside medications, or how to combine treatments in a coordinated way to improve outcomes.

The scope is broad and includes several priority areas tied to drug abuse treatment and related public health needs. One major area is the development and testing of interventions for drug abuse treatment, including for patients who have comorbidities, recognizing that many individuals seeking substance use treatment also face mental health conditions, physical health issues, or other complicating factors. Another focus is on drug abuse treatment and adherence interventions, meaning projects aimed at improving engagement, retention, and consistent participation in treatment or medication regimens. The FOA also explicitly encourages interventions that use technology to strengthen effects and improve implementability and sustainability, which can include digital tools that extend support beyond clinic visits, make interventions easier to deliver at scale, or reduce burden on providers and systems.

The announcement places specific attention on HIV-related prevention and adherence challenges among individuals in drug abuse treatment. It supports interventions designed to prevent the acquisition or transmission of HIV in this population, as well as interventions that promote adherence not only to drug abuse treatment itself but also to HIV and addiction medications. This highlights an integrated care perspective, where substance use treatment is closely linked with infectious disease prevention and treatment adherence support. In addition, the FOA includes interventions aimed at treating substance misuse in the context of chronic pain, reflecting the overlap between pain management needs, risks for misuse, and the clinical complexity of supporting patients safely and effectively.

The funding mechanism is an R01, which is NIH's standard research project grant and typically supports substantial, multi-year research efforts. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose projects that include a clinical trial if it fits the scientific aims, but a clinical trial is not required for every application. The funding activity category is listed under education and health, and the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity are 93.273 and 93.279. The original closing date is May 7, 2025, and the FOA was created on September 24, 2024. Specific details like an award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not provided in the source information shared.

Eligibility is wide, spanning many types of organizations that can carry out behavioral intervention research. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, along with public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments. The FOA also welcomes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as other applicant types. The FOA further emphasizes inclusion of a range of institutions and organizations such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility reflects NIH's interest in supporting intervention research across diverse settings and populations, including communities disproportionately affected by substance use and its related harms.

Overall, PAR-24-299 is designed for research teams aiming to strengthen the evidence base for behavioral and integrated treatment strategies in substance use care, with particular encouragement for studies that clarify what works, why it works, how to deliver it efficiently, and how to integrate behavioral approaches with medications and broader health priorities like HIV prevention and chronic pain management.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (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): 93.273, 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-07. (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 PAR 24 299

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