Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 23 053
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity under the HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative titled "HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-DA-23-053). This funding announcement is designed to speed the movement of research findings into real-world use by supporting translational dissemination and implementation (D&I) research that can measurably reduce overdose deaths. A central emphasis is on practical, on-the-ground strategies that improve prevention, treatment, and recovery outcomes, especially where overdose risk intersects with pain care and opioid use disorder (OUD). The "Clinical Trial Optional" framing signals that proposed projects may include clinical trials, but they are not required; applicants can propose the study design that best fits the implementation problem being addressed.
This opportunity functions as a "parent" RFA for the HEAL Initiative Translation to Practice Team, meaning it serves as a broad umbrella solicitation that is meant to operate alongside more targeted HEAL Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs). Those NOSIs identify priority topic areas in a given year and can steer applicants toward specific gaps NIH wants addressed. For FY23, the announcement notes two such focus areas: a Workforce NOSI (previously issued as an RFA) and a Violence and Trauma NOSI (also previously an RFA). In practice, this structure allows NIH to keep a stable core program focused on translation to practice while periodically highlighting urgent or emerging needs through companion NOSIs.
The mechanism is the R61/R33 phased innovation award, which typically supports early-stage, milestone-driven work followed by a second phase that expands or validates the approach once initial benchmarks are met. In this context, the phased structure is meant to encourage projects that start by establishing feasibility and strong implementation foundations (for example, building partnerships with service systems, testing adoption strategies, refining workflows, and verifying that outcome measurement is workable), and then move into a more robust phase that evaluates impact at a broader or more rigorous scale. The announcement also notes that there is a companion R33 RFA, reflecting NIH's use of multiple, aligned pathways to support this translation-to-practice portfolio. The RFA is expected to run for two years, covering FY23 and FY24.
Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of public and private organizations that can carry out implementation-focused research in healthcare, behavioral health, public health, or community settings. Eligible entities 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 Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The opportunity explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, the funding notice clarifies important limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which generally means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified international elements within a project under NIH rules, even though a foreign organization cannot be the primary applicant.
The funding activity aligns with federal assistance categories spanning education, health, income security, and social services, and it lists CFDA numbers 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, and 93.865. The award ceiling is listed as $750,000. The original closing date provided is March 20, 2025. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at teams that can demonstrate a credible pathway from evidence to routine practice, with strong attention to implementation strategies, real-world constraints, and measurable outcomes that can help reduce overdose deaths and improve responses to pain and OUD in the systems where people actually receive care and support.Apply for RFA DA 23 053
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-20. (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 $750,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "HEAL Initiative: Translating Research to Practice to End the Overdose Crisis (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" under the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-DA-23-053.
3) What is the main purpose of this grant?
This funding announcement is designed to speed the movement of research findings into real-world use by supporting translational dissemination and implementation (D&I) research that can measurably reduce overdose deaths. It emphasizes practical, on-the-ground strategies that improve prevention, treatment, and recovery outcomes, especially where overdose risk intersects with pain care and opioid use disorder (OUD).
4) What types of research does NIH want to support through this RFA?
The RFA supports translational dissemination and implementation (D&I) research focused on getting evidence into routine practice. The emphasis is on credible pathways from evidence to everyday use, including attention to implementation strategies, real-world constraints, and measurable outcomes relevant to reducing overdose deaths and improving responses to pain and OUD.
5) Are clinical trials required?
No. The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional", meaning projects may include clinical trials, but they are not required. Applicants may propose the study design that best fits the implementation problem being addressed.
6) What award mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the R61/R33 phased innovation award mechanism.
7) How does the R61/R33 phased structure work in this program context?
The phased approach typically supports early-stage, milestone-driven work (R61) followed by a second phase (R33) that expands or validates the approach once initial benchmarks are met. In this announcement, the structure is intended to encourage projects that:
- Start by establishing feasibility and strong implementation foundations (for example: building partnerships with service systems, testing adoption strategies, refining workflows, and verifying that outcome measurement is workable); and
- Then move into a more robust phase that evaluates impact at a broader or more rigorous scale.
8) What is meant by "translating research to practice" here?
In this RFA, translating research to practice refers to moving evidence-based findings into real-world settings using dissemination and implementation methods, so that effective prevention, treatment, and recovery approaches are adopted and sustained in the systems where people actually receive care and support.
9) What problem area is this RFA targeting?
The central target is the overdose crisis, with a focus on measurable reductions in overdose deaths. The RFA also highlights the intersection of overdose risk with pain care and opioid use disorder (OUD).
10) Is this a broad solicitation or a topic-specific one?
It is designed as a broad, umbrella ("parent") solicitation for the HEAL Initiative Translation to Practice Team. It is meant to operate alongside more targeted HEAL Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs) that can highlight specific priorities in a given year.
11) What are NOSIs and how do they relate to this RFA?
NOSIs (Notices of Special Interest) are companion notices that identify priority topic areas for a given year and can steer applicants toward specific gaps NIH wants addressed. This RFA serves as a stable core program focused on translation to practice, while NOSIs can highlight urgent or emerging needs.
12) What FY23 focus areas are mentioned for companion NOSIs?
The announcement notes two FY23 focus areas that were previously issued as RFAs and are now highlighted as NOSIs:
- A Workforce NOSI
- A Violence and Trauma NOSI
13) Is there a related or companion funding opportunity?
Yes. The announcement notes there is a companion R33 RFA, reflecting NIH's use of multiple aligned pathways to support the translation-to-practice portfolio.
14) How long is this RFA expected to run?
The RFA is expected to run for two years, covering FY23 and FY24.
15) What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as $750,000.
16) What is the original closing date?
The original closing date provided is March 20, 2025.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many public and private organizations that can carry out implementation-focused research in healthcare, behavioral health, public health, or community settings. 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 Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
- Nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
18) Are any specific institution or community organization types explicitly highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)
- 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
- Tribal governments other than federally recognized entities
- U.S. territories or possessions
19) Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations.
20) Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
21) Are any international elements allowed in a project?
Yes. While foreign organizations cannot be the primary applicant, "foreign components" (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. In practical terms, a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified international elements within a project under NIH rules.
22) What kinds of settings are most relevant for proposed projects?
The RFA emphasizes implementation-focused research in real-world settings, including healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and community environments, particularly where people receive prevention, treatment, and recovery support related to overdose risk, pain care, and OUD.
23) What does NIH seem to be looking for in a strong application based on this description?
Based on the description provided, NIH is aiming for teams that can show a credible pathway from evidence to routine practice, with strong attention to:
- Implementation strategies that work in real-world conditions
- Partnerships with service systems and practical workflows
- Feasibility and milestone-based progress (especially in the R61 phase)
- Measurable outcomes and demonstrable impact that can help reduce overdose deaths
- Practical improvements to prevention, treatment, and recovery, especially at the pain care and OUD intersection
24) What federal assistance categories and CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity aligns with federal assistance categories spanning education, health, income security, and social services. The CFDA numbers listed are:
- 93.213
- 93.242
- 93.279
- 93.865
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| HEAL Initiative: Translational Development of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Devices (R18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EB 22 002 Funding Number: RFA EB 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 23 030 Funding Number: RFA HD 23 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R21 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA HD 23 033 Funding Number: RFA HD 23 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 23 031 Funding Number: RFA HD 23 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Time-Sensitive Opportunities for Health Research (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 233 Funding Number: PAR 22 233 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Engineering and optimization of molecular technologies for functional dissection of neural circuits (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 22 245 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 245 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Elucidation and Validation of the role of Transporters in the Placenta, Lactating Mammary Gland, Developing Gut, and Blood Brain Barrier (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HD 23 003 Funding Number: RFA HD 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 007 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trials Required) Apply for RFA NR 23 001 Funding Number: RFA NR 23 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 039 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Clinical Research Short Course (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 195 Funding Number: PAR 22 195 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Coordinating Unit for Biostatistics, Informatics, and Engagement (CUBIE) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 22 291 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 291 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Comprehensive Center on Human and Non-human Primate Brain Cell Atlases (UM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 22 290 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 290 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Specialized Collaboratory on Human, Non-human Primate, and Mouse Brain Cell Atlases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 22 292 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 292 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Transformative and Integrative Models of Behavior at the Organismal Level (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Down Syndrome Research (R24 Clinical Trials Not-Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 247 Funding Number: PAR 22 247 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative Integrated Basic and Clinical Team-based Research in Pain(RM1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 22 069 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Community Level Interventions for Firearm and Related Violence, Injury and Mortality Prevention (CLIF-VP) (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 23 066 Funding Number: PAR 23 066 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for RFA NS 22 023 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 022 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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