NIDA Animal Genomics Program (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you're building genomics or multi-omics tools for understanding addiction biology at the genetic level, NIDA will fund rigorous discovery research in animal models with direct therapeutic relevance.
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What this is
This NIH/NIDA program (U01 mechanism) funds genomics and multi-omics research using animal models to discover genetic variants, epigenetic changes, and gene networks associated with addiction vulnerability, escalation, dependence, relapse, and recovery. Research must focus on identifying molecular mechanisms—including SNVs, structural variants, and mobile DNA—that drive substance use disorders and related behavioral phenotypes (impulsivity, stress sensitivity, anxiety). Successful applications integrate multi-level omics data, circuit-level analysis, or functional validation to inform therapeutic target discovery.
Who can apply
Very broad: nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), universities, small businesses, for-profits, tribal governments, state/local governments, and most other organization types are eligible. Individual solo researchers must be affiliated with an eligible institution. No geographic restrictions.
Eligible applicant types
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- State governments
- City or township governments
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- County governments
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Full description — from the agency
The purpose of the NIDA Animal Genetics Program is to identify genetic, genomic, and molecular (epi)genetic variants that underlie: 1. Phenotypes associated with addictive behaviors and/or vulnerability to distinct stages along the substance use disorders (SUD) trajectory (e.g. initial/acute use, escalation of use, acquisition of tolerance, dependence, uncontrolled use, abstinence and relapse or recovery); 2. Behaviors associated with SUD (e.g. impulsivity, novelty seeking, delayed discounting, and other genetically-associated phenotypes); and 3. Comorbidities that demonstrate genetic correlations with phenotypes and behaviors linked with SUD (e.g. anxiety, stress, poor maternal care, social defeat, and other paradigms). Applications may examine any type of genomic variant, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), indels, large and small structural variants, and all types of mobile DNA. NIDA encourages applications that take genomics, multi-omics, and/or data-based approaches that integrate multi-level omics data, delineate gene networks, and/or uncover the function of known or newly discovered genetic or epigenetic variants. Other areas of interest include genomics analysis at the circuit level and the application of neuroscience to genomics studies. NIDA expects these studies to uncover novel mechanisms that contribute to various stages across the SUD trajectory and inform future studies about potential targets and therapeutic strategies for addiction.
Topics: animal genomics · substance use disorder genetics · multi-omics · addiction neuroscience · epigenetic variants · gene networks
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.