Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/Start)(R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 310

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 310

The Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/START) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funding opportunity that uses the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism to support early-stage, targeted projects that bring affective, cognitive, and behavioral science approaches to key questions in substance use disorders (SUD). The central purpose is to seed innovative ideas, hypotheses, models, and methods that can move the behavioral science of addiction forward, whether the work is preclinical (for example, lab-based or animal model research that informs mechanisms) or clinical (for example, studies involving people, including clinical trials if the applicant chooses to propose one). In practical terms, this opportunity is designed for smaller, faster projects that can generate credible preliminary findings and help investigators transition to larger NIH applications later.

A defining feature of B/START is its emphasis on generating a coherent set of pilot or preliminary results that directly set up the next step in a research trajectory. NIDA is looking for studies that do more than just explore an idea in a loose way; the expectation is that the project will produce data that can inform the design of a larger, more complete investigation and provide feasibility evidence or scientific rationale for a subsequent R01, R21, or similar grant. Because of that, strong applications are typically framed around clear, testable behavioral science questions tied to SUD, paired with methods that can realistically be completed within the limited R03 scope while still yielding interpretable outcomes.

The target investigator audience includes two main groups. First, recently independent investigators who already have behavioral science expertise and are poised to apply it to substance use disorder research. Second, established investigators who are new to applying behavioral science approaches in the SUD space and want to pivot or expand their work into addiction-related questions. This structure reflects the program's goal of bringing new behavioral science talent and perspectives into SUD research while also supporting early independence and rapid proof-of-concept work.

The opportunity is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," which means applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the aims, but they are not required to do so. This allows for flexibility across a wide range of behavioral science projects, including mechanistic studies of decision-making or emotion regulation in the context of substance use, development or refinement of behavioral tasks or paradigms, early tests of interventions grounded in cognitive or affective theory, or studies that validate new behavioral measures relevant to addiction risk, craving, withdrawal, relapse, or treatment engagement.

In terms of applicant eligibility, the program is broadly open to many types of U.S.-based organizations, reflecting typical NIH eligibility rules for research grants. 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The notice also explicitly highlights categories often associated with broadening participation and capacity, such as 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), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign participation is explicitly restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. The practical implication is that the applicant organization and the supported work must be situated within allowable U.S.-based institutional structures without foreign components as part of the proposed project.

From the source details provided, the funding opportunity title is "Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/Start) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" with opportunity number PAR 19 310. It is a discretionary grant under NIH, with a funding activity category in education and health and a CFDA number of 93.279. The award ceiling listed is $75,000. The original closing date shown is 2022-01-07, and the creation date is 2019-06-28. Overall, the program is best understood as a small, focused NIDA entry point for behavioral scientists to produce fundable preliminary evidence and accelerate progression to larger-scale addiction research funding.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/Start)(R03 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 2019-06-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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 $75,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 19 310

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