Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you have a bold, under-tested idea for understanding or treating addiction and can work lean, NIDA will fund it without requiring extensive preliminary data.
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What this is
This NIH grant targets researchers developing novel methods or testing bold, under-explored ideas in addiction science that could shift the field's direction. Up to $150,000 is available for work on substance use disorders that is either methodologically innovative or conceptually creative with sparse existing precedent. The program welcomes diverse applicant types—from nonprofits and small businesses to universities and government entities—making it accessible beyond traditional academic labs. A clinical trial option exists but is not required.
Who can apply
Open to nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), small businesses, for-profit organizations, universities (public and private), government entities (state, county, city, tribal), and special districts. No apparent geographic restriction. Applicants must be eligible to receive federal funding and propose research within NIDA's substance use disorder scope.
Eligible applicant types
- Independent school districts
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- City or township governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- State governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Small businesses
- County governments
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Full description — from the agency
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award (CEBRA) is designed to foster highly innovative or conceptually creative research related to the etiology, pathophysiology, prevention, or treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). It supports high-risk and potentially high-impact research that is sparse or not included in NIDA's current portfolio that has the potential to transform SUD research. The proposed research should: 1. develop, and/or adapt, revolutionary techniques or methods for addiction research or that show promising future applicability to SUD research; and /or 2. test an innovative and significant hypothesis for which there are scant precedent or preliminary data and which, if confirmed, would transform current thinking.
Topics: substance use disorder research · addiction science innovation · basic research grants · high-risk research funding · drug abuse prevention
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.