Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program
NIDA's START Program offers seed funding for early-stage projects integrating substance use research with fields like drug development, brain imaging, neurocognitive tools, data science, or HIV/AIDS research.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Full application deadline, projected) | February 2026 (Application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000 per award; typically one-year duration.
Summary: Seed funding for projects advancing research at the intersection of substance use and areas such as therapeutics, brain imaging, behavioral science, data science, or HIV/AIDS.
Key Information: Early stage, new investigators, and those new to substance use or AIDS research are encouraged to apply.
Description
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides this opportunity to support innovative, early-stage research projects that advance the understanding and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) and drug dependence. The program aims to build expertise and generate preliminary data in areas including the discovery of new therapeutic agents, brain imaging, neurocognitive and behavioral science, advanced data science (including AI), and research relevant to substance use and HIV/AIDS. The START program is designed to help researchers generate findings that can guide more comprehensive studies and serve as the foundation for future larger grant applications (e.g., NIH R-series awards). Early stage and new investigators, as well as those new to the fields of substance use or AIDS research, are especially encouraged to apply.
