Group items tagged

BJA and SAMHSA are accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2015 for grants to enhance court services, coordination, and evidence-based substance abuse treatment and recovery support services of adult drug courts. The purpose of this joint initiative is to allow applicants to submit a comprehensive strategy for enhancing drug court services and substance abuse treatment. Through this solicitation, applicants are competing for two grant awards (a grant from SAMHSA and a separate grant from BJA) for both criminal justice and substance abuse treatment funds with one application. In order to fulfill all of the requirements for this grant program, applicants should comply with the requirements outlined in this announcement as well as those incorporated by reference in the Requirements Resource Guide. These grants are authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 3797u, et seq., and section 509 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA and SAMHSA's Strategic Initiative on Trauma and Justice. Drug courts funded through this grant may use federal funding and matched funding to serve only nonviolent offenders1 and must operate the adult drug court based on BJA's and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals' publication Defining Drug Courts: The Key Components, which addresses the statutory requirements. This opportunity provides drug court applicants the flexibility to identify the most appropriate evidence-based court (service/docket) model on which to base the drug court, in order to accommodate the needs and available resources of that jurisdiction, so long as the model conforms to the 10 key drug court components (see pages 9-11 of this solicitation), which describe the basic elements that define drug courts. (See page 8 for a definition of "evidence-based.")

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Charles Koch Foundation seeks to support research projects (e.g. papers, conferences, workshops, etc.) that explore innovative, community-based solutions that are targeted at destroying the root causes of substance abuse. To that end, we are actively soliciting proposals for projects to consider innovative solutions that seek to alleviate substance use disorders. We are especially interested in research that: - Addresses innovative ways to help individuals overcome substance use disorders, prevent drug overdoses, and increase the willingness of individuals to seek treatment for substance abuse. - Explores the root causes of addiction and substance use disorders as well as innovative means to prevent substance abuse by remedying these root causes. - Addresses the unintended consequences of current approaches to reduce drug overdoses and substance abuse. - Examines solutions that offer a proactive approach to fighting addiction rather than a reactive approach focusing on treatment and recovery. - Explores opportunities to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders and celebrate success in overcoming addiction and substance abuse.

The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) are accepting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants. By statute, the DFC Support Program has two goals: Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth*. Reduce substance abuse among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

  NIDA is interested in research that addresses research gaps related to PrEP and its use among substance users, with the goals of improving PrEP management and implementation. Current US Public Health Service PrEP guidelines recommend PrEP for people who inject drugs (PWID) and mention alcohol and illicit drug use as potential concerns for clinical management. Only one clinical trial has evaluated PrEP among PWID and systematic data regarding the broader use of PrEP among substance users are limited. There is a need to better understand the effects of substance use on PrEP effectiveness and better inform PrEP implementation among substance users. More systematic data are needed regarding the impact of substance use on PrEP management and adherence, along with investigating potential unintended consequences of PrEP use that may be unique to substance users such as changes in harm reduction practices, as well as substance use as a contributor to health risk behaviors with consequences such as increased occurrence of STIs.

This FOA provides resources to support (a) pilot or feasibility studies of new or adapted interventions to prevent HIV infection among populations where substance use may be a contributing factor; (b) pilot or feasibility studies of new or adapted interventions to improve the care of HIV infection among populations where substance use is prevalent, including interventions that integrate treatment for substance use disorders and HIV infection; or (c) pilot or feasibility studies to increase the scale, uptake, delivery, and/or quality of HIV prevention or care interventions with established evidence of efficacy. Both primary and secondary prevention will be supported. The full range of substance use will be considered including problematic episodic use and substance use disorders, as well as a full range of substances and modes of administration. The most important consideration is that substance use may affect transmission directly as in the case of injection or may affect transmission risk behavior. Domestic and overseas populations will be considered, with particular attention to populations with disproportionate burden of HIV infection and those where HIV infection and/or drug use are emergent.

The PCC has supported world-class research since 2009, spending more than $8.0 M to support novel science. Research and grant-making are the foundation of the PCC and are the focus of everyday business activity. PCC-supported research contributes to a movement in addressing doping's root causes and ultimately decreasing the use of performance-enhancing drugs by all participants in all sports at all levels of play. With an emphasis on original work that focuses on improving existing analytical methods for detecting particular drugs, developing new analytical methods to test for substances not currently detectable, and discovering cost-effective approaches for testing widely abused substances across all levels of sport, the following areas of investigation reflect the PCC's current research priorities: - Developing methods of cost-effective testing to detect and deter the use of banned and illegal substances. - Developing testing protocols to detect designer substances used for doping purposes. - Improving existing analytical methods to detect particular drugs, ex. GH, IGF-1, EPO, hCG. - Developing analytical methods to detect performance enhancing drugs not currently detectable. - Longitudinal urinary excretion patterns, metabolism and dose-concentration. - Critical reviews to support interpretation of laboratory data. - Alternative specimens, (ex. oral fluid, dried blood/plasma spots) for testing.

Long-term misuse and chronic exposure to abused substances can produce widespread changes in brain structure and function. Although much progress has been made, additional research is still needed to identify the neurobiological changes that result from substance use, and how these changes contribute to substance use disorders. The overarching goals of the research areas described in this FOA are to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders, with special emphasis on identifying changes and neuroadaptations that occur during dependence, withdrawal, and relapse to chronic substance use. An understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying substance use disorders can help to identify targets for prevention and treatment interventions. Research utilizing basic, translational, or clinical approaches is appropriate.

The DFC Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20). The DFC Support Program has two goals: 1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies; as well as federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth*. 2. Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. *For the purposes of this FOA, "youth" is defined as individuals 18 years of age and younger.

Long-term misuse and chronic exposure to abused substances can produce widespread changes in brain structure and function. Although much progress has been made, additional research is still needed to identify the neurobiological changes that result from substance use, and how these changes contribute to substance use disorders. The overarching goals of the research areas described in this FOA are to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying substance use disorders, with special emphasis on identifying changes and neuroadaptations that occur during dependence, withdrawal, and relapse to chronic substance use. An understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying substance use disorders can help to identify targets for prevention and treatment interventions. Research utilizing basic, translational, or clinical approaches is appropriate.

With an emphasis on original work that focuses on improving existing analytical methods for detecting particular drugs, developing new analytical methods to test for substances not currently detectable, and discovering cost-effective approaches for testing widely abused substances across all levels of sport, the following areas of investigation reflect the PCC's current research priorities: - Developing methods of cost-effective testing to detect and deter the use of banned and illegal substances. - Developing testing protocols to detect designer substances used for doping purposes. - Improving existing analytical methods to detect particular drugs, ex. GH, IGF-1, EPO, hCG. - Developing analytical methods to detect performance enhancing drugs not currently detectable. - Longitudinal urinary excretion patterns, metabolism and dose-concentration. - Critical reviews to support interpretation of laboratory data. - Alternative specimens, (ex. oral fluid, dried blood/plasma spots) for testing.

Despite significant scientific advancements made in substance use disorder research over the last century, the causes and consequences of drug use in later life remain poorly understood. The intent of this funding opportunity announcement is to support innovative research that examines aspects of marijuana and prescription opioid and benzodiazepine use in adults aged 50 and older. This FOA encourages research that examines the determinants of these types of drug use and/or characterizes the resulting neurobiological alterations, associated behaviors, and public health consequences. This initiative will focus on two distinct populations of older adults: individuals with earlier onset of drug use who are now entering this stage of adult development or individuals who initiate drug use after the age of 50. Applications are encouraged to utilize broad methodologies ranging from basic science, clinical, and epidemiological approaches. The insights gleaned from this initiative are critical to our understanding of the determinants of drug use in later life, as well as its consequences in the aging brain and on behavior. This knowledge may have the potential to identify risk factors and to guide clinical practices in older populations.

The purpose of this initiative is to: accelerate innovative drug and device discovery; develop pharmacologic and neuromodulatory tools for basic and clinical research on mental disorders, substance use disorders (SUDs) or alcohol addiction; develop and validate tools (pharmacologic or neurostimulation) in support of experimental therapeutic studies of innovative new candidates for mental disorders; and support early stage human studies to rapidly assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of promising drug candidates/devices and new indications for novel Investigational New Drug (IND)-ready agents or Pre-Market Approval (PMA)-ready devices for the treatment of mental disorders, SUDs or alcohol addiction. This FOA encourages applications to advance the discovery, preclinical development, and proof of concept (PoC) testing of new, rationally based candidate agents and neurostimulation approaches to treat mental disorders or SUDs or alcohol addiction, and to develop novel ligands and circuit-engagement devices as tools to further characterize existing or to validate new drug/device targets. Partnerships between academia and industry are strongly encouraged.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage behavioral intervention development research to test efficacy, conduct clinical trials, examine mechanisms of behavior change, determine dose-response, treatment optimization, and/or ascertain best sequencing of behavioral, combined, sequential, or integrated behavioral and pharmacological (1) drug abuse treatment interventions, including interventions for patients with comorbidities; (2) drug abuse treatment and adherence interventions; (3) drug abuse treatment and adherence interventions that utilize technologies to boost effects and increase implementability and sustainability; (4) interventions to prevent the acquisition or transmission of HIV infection among individuals in drug abuse treatment; (5) interventions to promote adherence to drug abuse treatment, HIV and addiction medications; and (6) interventions to treat substance misuse and chronic pain. Research of interest includes but is not limited to Stage I research.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage behavioral intervention development research to test efficacy, conduct clinical trials, examine mechanisms of behavior change, determine dose-response, treatment optimization, and/or ascertain best sequencing of behavioral, combined, sequential, or integrated behavioral and pharmacological (1) drug abuse treatment interventions, including interventions for patients with comorbidities; (2) drug abuse treatment and adherence interventions; (3) drug abuse treatment and adherence interventions that utilize technologies to boost effects and increase implementability and sustainability; (4) interventions to prevent the acquisition or transmission of HIV infection among individuals in drug abuse treatment; (5) interventions to promote adherence to drug abuse treatment, HIV and addiction medications; and (6) interventions to treat substance misuse and chronic pain. Research of interest includes but is not limited to Stage II and Stage III efficacy research.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) intends to solicit proposals from offerors having the capability to identify and quantify drugs and their metabolites in biological fluids and tissues such as plasma/serum, urine, sweat, saliva, hair and brain and other tissues. These drugs may include cannabinoids, opiates, amphetamines, l alpha acetyl methadol (LAAM), naltrexone, methadone, cocaine, phencyclidine, anabolic steroids, opioid peptides and peptidomimetics, benzodiazepines, and other drugs and their metabolites. The concentrations of such drugs and metabolites usually appear in biological materials at ng/g or ng/ml levels and therefore require the use of state-of-the-art chromatography methods for separation and highly sensitive instrumentations for identification and quantification, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS).

This FOA invites applications to investigate the underlying mechanisms and CNS consequences of the interactions on inflammasome assembly and activation under the comorbidity of acute or chronic drug abuse and HIV-1 infection. Applications proposing to study only the effects of drugs of abuse or only the consequences of HIV-1 infection will be considered non-responsive to this FOA. Basic and preclinical research projects are appropriate. Addictive substances of interest include: opioids, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, stimulants, prescription drugs, cannabinoids, alcohol, or combinations of these drugs.  However, applications focused solely on alcohol exposure will be considered non-responsive to this FOA.

The overall goal of The Step Up for SUD initiative is to advance fundamental discoveries into medicines to treat substance use disorders (SUD) for the benefit of society. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance and accelerate research on drug targets for SUD aiming to expand the range of targets and mechanisms in development for SUD therapies. The initiative will provide both funding and the in-kind access to biomedical product development experts.  It will be administered as a unique, short-term and nimble funding opportunity to support the confirmatory research in robust drug target validation/invalidation to allow for early decision to either proceed to a next step or stop the projects. At this point, only research projects on potential drug/biologic therapeutics, not diagnostics or devices, will be supported.

To improve understanding of the intersection of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is part of a multipronged 2014 expansion of HIV and AIDS related research within the context of drug and alcohol abuse among understudied populations and in understudied settings that show promise for the development of effective prevention and treatment efforts. In addition to this funding opportunity, others included in the 2014 expansion address HIV/AIDS and substance use among the homeless and unstably housed (RFA-DA-14-009); the integration of substance abuse and HIV prevention and treatment within HIV/AIDS service delivery settings (RFA-DA-14-011); exploratory research on comorbid HIV, chronic pain, and substance use among older adults (RFA-DA-14-012); and Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain Data Harmonization Coordinating Center (RFA-DA-14-007).

To improve understanding of the intersection of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is part of a multipronged 2014 expansion of HIV and AIDS related research within the context of drug and alcohol abuse among understudied populations and in understudied settings that show promise for the development of effective prevention and treatment efforts. In addition to this funding opportunity, others included in the 2014 expansion address HIV/AIDS and substance use among the homeless and unstably housed (RFA-DA-14-009); substance use, HIV, and Black/African American women and young Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) (RFA-DA-14-010); exploratory research on comorbid HIV, chronic pain, and substance use among older adults (RFA-DA-14-012), and Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain Data Harmonization Coordinating Center (RFA-DA-14-007).

To improve understanding of the intersection of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is part of a multipronged 2014 expansion of HIV and AIDS related research within the context of drug and alcohol abuse among understudied populations and in understudied settings that show promise for the development of effective prevention and treatment efforts. In addition to this funding opportunity, others included in the 2014 expansion address HIV/AIDS and substance use among the homeless and unstably housed (RFA-DA-14-009); substance use, HIV, and Black/African American women and young Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) (RFA-DA-14-010); the integration of substance abuse and HIV prevention and treatment within HIV/AIDS service delivery settings (RFA-DA-14-011) and Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain Data Harmonization Coordinating Center (RFA-DA-14-007).