Specialized Alcohol Research Centers Clinical Trial Optional (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AA 19 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AA 19 004

The Specialized Alcohol Research Centers Clinical Trial Optional opportunity (RFA-AA-19-004) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) that supports the creation or continuation of specialized, interdisciplinary Alcohol Research Centers through the P50 center grant mechanism. The central goal of this program is to strengthen leadership and coordination in alcohol-related research by bringing together teams that can work collaboratively across disciplines, share resources, and pursue integrated, goal-directed projects that address major questions aligned with NIAAA's mission.

These centers are expected to conduct and foster collaborative research spanning a wide range of alcohol-focused topics. The scope includes, but is not limited to, understanding the nature and causes of alcohol use disorders (AUD), identifying genetic and biological influences, improving diagnosis, advancing treatment strategies, and developing effective prevention approaches. Importantly, the FOA emphasizes the full range of consequences associated with alcohol misuse, including biomedical harms, psychosocial impacts, and economic costs, and it encourages research that considers these issues across the entire lifespan rather than focusing on a single age group.

A key feature of the Alcohol Research Center program is its role as a broader scientific resource. Beyond producing findings from the proposed research projects, funded centers are positioned to function as regional or national hubs that help the field move forward. This includes contributing to the development of new research methods, technologies, and innovative approaches that can be adopted by other investigators and institutions. In practice, the NIAAA is looking for centers that not only generate knowledge, but also elevate the overall capacity of the research community by enabling sustained, cutting-edge collaboration and infrastructure.

The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if they are scientifically appropriate, but they are not required to do so. This offers flexibility for centers that are primarily basic science, translational, clinical, or public health oriented, as long as the proposed work aligns with NIAAA priorities and fits the center-based, collaborative P50 structure.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and a range of nonprofit and for-profit entities (including small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses). The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. While foreign components are allowed under NIH policy (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement), non-U.S. institutions themselves are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary grant in the health category under CFDA 93.273. The original posting indicates a creation date of October 11, 2018, with an original closing date of February 27, 2019. The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided source data.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Specialized Alcohol Research Centers Clinical Trial Optional (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-02-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AA 19 004

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