Description

This opportunity, offered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at NIH, funds research to uncover the genetic, genomic, and molecular (including epigenetic) variants that underlie neural and behavioral processes relevant to substance use disorder (SUD) risk, progression, and comorbidities. The program aims to link genetic and molecular mechanisms to neural circuit function and behavior, using animal models and advanced genomics, multi-omics, and data science approaches.

Research may focus on:

• Phenotypes associated with addictive behaviors and vulnerability to different SUD stages (e.g., initial use, escalation, tolerance, dependence, relapse, recovery).
• Behaviors genetically associated with SUD (e.g., impulsivity, novelty seeking).
• Comorbidities with genetic correlations to SUD (e.g., anxiety, stress, social defeat).

NIDA encourages projects that integrate multi-level omics data, delineate gene networks, and/or use artificial intelligence or machine learning. Studies may include variant identification at the neural circuit level and the application of neuroscience to genomics in tissues and cells. The ultimate goal is to reveal novel mechanisms and inform future therapeutic strategies for addiction.