Atom | Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

Funder: National Institutes of Health

Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 direct costs for a 1-year project; single-year R03 mechanism.

Summary: Supports small, proof-of-concept brain imaging studies relevant to substance use disorders, open to both new and established investigators seeking to develop or adopt neuroimaging tools.

Key Information: Applications must focus on substance use disorder neurobiology and utilize brain imaging tools; alcohol-focused projects are not eligible.

Description

This funding opportunity, administered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at NIH, is designed to facilitate the entry of investigators—both newly independent and established—into the field of brain imaging research as it relates to substance use disorders (SUD) and addiction. The program supports the development and application of neuroimaging tools and methodologies, enabling small, proof-of-concept studies that can be completed in a short timeframe with limited resources.

The goal is to lower barriers for researchers to incorporate advanced imaging techniques (such as PET, SPECT, optical imaging, etc.) into their SUD research, thereby accelerating the transition to more advanced, multi-year projects. Projects should aim to expand understanding of central nervous system dysfunction in the context of substance use and addiction.

Due Dates

Upcoming deadlines:
- June 16, 2025 (New applications)
- July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
- September 7, 2025 (AIDS-related applications)
- October 16, 2025 (New applications)
- November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
- January 7, 2026 (AIDS-related applications)
Subsequent cycles: Standard NIH R03 due dates through January 7, 2028.
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

See full schedule and details

Funding Amount

Maximum direct costs: $150,000
Project period: 1 year (no multi-year projects)
Mechanism: NIH R03 Small Research Grant
No cost sharing required
Number of awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and number of meritorious applications

Eligibility

Eligible organizations:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
- State, county, city, township, and special district governments
- Native American tribal governments and organizations
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Faith-based and community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories and possessions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and foreign components
Eligible individuals:
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI.
Additional notes:
- Applicant organizations may submit more than one application if each is scientifically distinct.
- Foreign organizations and components are eligible to apply.

Application Process

Submission platforms:
- NIH ASSIST
- Grants.gov Workspace
- Institutional system-to-system solutions
Required registrations:
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- eRA Commons
- Grants.gov
Application instructions:
- Follow the NIH R03 application guide
- Include a Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Strict page limits and appendix restrictions apply
Review criteria:
- Significance, innovation, approach, investigator(s), and environment
- Rigor and feasibility of the proposed work
- Relevance to SUD neurobiology and use of brain imaging tools
Clinical trial option:
- Both clinical trial and non-clinical trial applications are accepted

Additional Information

Scope:
- Projects must address the neurobiology of substance use or SUD using brain imaging tools, techniques, or methods.
- Alcohol-focused projects (alone or in combination) are not eligible.
- Example areas: development of new imaging agents, optimization of imaging tools, application of imaging to study SUD mechanisms, treatment effects, or individual differences.
Special considerations:
- NIDA-specific requirements and guidelines apply; see NIDA Special Considerations.
Data sharing:
- Compliance with NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy is required.

External Links

Contact Information

Topic	Contact/Resource
General Grants Info	GrantsInfo@nih.gov \| 301-480-7075
Scientific/Research	Hoang Le, Ph.D., NIDA, hoang.le@nih.gov \| 301-451-8849
Grants Management	Chief Grants Management Officer, NIDA, nidagmbemail@nida.nih.gov
eRA Commons/ASSIST	eRA Service Desk \| 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552
Grants.gov Support	support@grants.gov \| 800-518-4726