HEAL Initiative: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K23 - Clinical Trial Required)

---

Description

This opportunity, part of the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, provides mentored career development awards (K23) for early career clinician-researchers to gain expertise in implementation science as applied to substance use prevention and treatment. The program aims to build a cadre of implementation scientists who can address the ongoing overdose crisis by moving evidence-based interventions into routine clinical and community practice.

Applicants must propose a research project that applies implementation science methods to at least one of the four priority domains of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy:

• Primary prevention (including appropriate opioid prescribing)
• Opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment
• Harm reduction
• Recovery support services

The award provides protected time (3–5 years) for intensive, supervised career development, with the expectation that recipients will transition to research independence and become future leaders and mentors in the field.

---

Due Dates

• June 12, 2025: New applications
• July 12, 2025: Renewal, resubmission, and revision applications
• October 12, 2025: New applications
• November 12, 2025: Renewal, resubmission, and revision applications

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Standard NIH K award due dates apply; see the NIH due dates page for future cycles.

---

Funding Amount

• Salary: Up to $100,000 per year plus fringe benefits, with a minimum of 9 person-months (75% effort) devoted to the award.
• Research Development Support: Up to $50,000 per year for research-related expenses (e.g., tuition, supplies, equipment, technical personnel, travel, statistical services).
• Project Duration: Up to 5 years.
• Indirect Costs: 8% of modified total direct costs (MTDC).
• Number of Awards: NIH anticipates up to 6 awards across this and a companion FOA per year, subject to funding availability.

---

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

• Public/State controlled and private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), excluding institutions of higher education
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Native American tribal governments and organizations (federally recognized and other)
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Faith-based and community-based organizations
• Regional organizations
• U.S. territories and possessions
• Eligible agencies of the federal government

Note: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed.

Eligible Individuals (PD/PI)

• Must have a clinical doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, DDS, DMD, PharmD, PhD in clinical disciplines, etc.)
• Must have foundational clinical training or experience in substance use prevention or treatment (including co-occurring mental illness)
• Must be early career (typically no more than 6 years of postdoctoral experience for NIMH applicants)
• Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident by the time of award
• Cannot have held or currently hold major NIH individual career development awards (e.g., K01, K08, K23, K99/R00), R01, P01, P50, or equivalent
• Must have completed clinical training (including specialty/subspecialty) before the award start date

Additional Requirements

• Must propose to lead an independent NIH-defined clinical trial, feasibility study, or ancillary study as part of the research and career development plan
• Must identify a primary mentor (or mentoring team) with expertise in implementation science and substance use research

---

Application Process

• Application Guide: Follow the NIH SF424 (R&R) Career Development (K) Application Guide and the specific instructions in the funding announcement.
• Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov using ASSIST, institutional system-to-system, or Grants.gov Workspace.
• Reference Letters: Required for mentored K applications; referees must submit directly via eRA Commons.
• Pre-application Consultation: Strongly encouraged—contact NIH program staff early to discuss eligibility, fit, and responsiveness to the FOA.
• Required Registrations: Applicant organizations must have active registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. PD/PI must have an eRA Commons account linked to an ORCID iD.

---

Additional Information

• Clinical Trial Requirement: Applicants must propose to lead an independent clinical trial (not just gain experience in a trial led by another investigator).
• Mentoring: A strong, well-qualified mentor or mentoring team is required, with a documented track record in both implementation science and substance use research.
• Institutional Commitment: The institution must provide a clear statement of commitment to the candidate’s career development and protected time.
• Data Sharing: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan in accordance with NIH policy and the HEAL Initiative’s requirements.
• Annual HEAL Investigators Meeting: Awardees are expected to attend and participate in annual meetings and related activities.
• Review Criteria: Applications are evaluated on candidate potential, career development plan, research plan, mentorship, and institutional environment.

---

External Links

• Full Funding Announcement (NIH)
• NIH HEAL Initiative
• NIH K23 Program Overview
• NIH Career Development (K) Application Guide (PDF)
• NIH Standard Due Dates
• Apply via Grants.gov
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

---

Contact Information

For additional contacts and IC-specific requirements, see the full FOA contact section.

---