Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 208
The Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) program is a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that uses the R21 mechanism to push forward bold, early-stage basic research on substance use disorders (SUDs). The intent is to make room for ideas that are genuinely unconventional or technically groundbreaking, especially projects that carry more uncertainty than a typical grant but could reshape how the field understands, prevents, or treats addiction if they succeed. In practical terms, this announcement is aimed at high-risk, potentially high-reward science that is not already well represented in NIDA's existing research portfolio.
The scientific scope is broad but centered on SUD etiology (how and why substance use disorders begin), pathophysiology (the biological and behavioral mechanisms driving them), prevention, and treatment. NIDA is explicitly looking for proposals that do at least one of two things. First, applicants can develop or adapt revolutionary techniques or methods for addiction research, including tools that may not be widely used in SUD science yet but have strong future applicability. That can include new measurement approaches, analytic frameworks, experimental platforms, or other methodological leaps that change what researchers can observe or test. Second, applicants can use the R21 to test an innovative and significant hypothesis where there is little prior work or limited preliminary data. The key is that the hypothesis is meaningful and would materially change prevailing assumptions or models in the SUD field if the results support it.
This opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial if it fits the aims, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive. The program is categorized under health and education, and it aligns with CFDA number 93.279, which corresponds to NIDA research support.
On eligibility, the announcement is inclusive and allows applications from a wide range of organization types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (when not an institution of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. It also 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 and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities.
From the funding details provided, the award ceiling is listed as $150,000, and the original closing date is 2024-08-14. The opportunity number is PAR-21-208, it is a discretionary grant program, and it was created on 2021-03-26. Overall, CEBRA is best understood as an NIH/NIDA entry point for investigators or teams who have a transformative idea or a novel tool for addiction science, but whose work is still early enough that the strongest justification is the potential upside rather than extensive preliminary results.Apply for PAR 21 208
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-14. (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 $150,000.00 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.
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Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (PAR-21-208) FAQs
What is the CEBRA program?
The Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) program is a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports bold, early-stage basic research on substance use disorders (SUDs). It uses the NIH R21 mechanism and is designed to create space for unconventional, technically groundbreaking ideas that may carry more uncertainty than a typical grant.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to advance high-risk, potentially high-reward basic research that could significantly reshape how the field understands, prevents, or treats addiction if successful. The announcement specifically aims to support work that is not already well represented in NIDA's existing research portfolio.
What grant mechanism does CEBRA use?
CEBRA uses the NIH R21 mechanism.
What kinds of research topics are in scope?
The scope is broad but centered on substance use disorders (SUDs), including:
- Etiology (how and why SUDs begin)
- Pathophysiology (biological and behavioral mechanisms driving SUDs)
- Prevention
- Treatment
What types of projects is NIDA explicitly looking for?
NIDA is looking for proposals that do at least one of the following:
- Develop or adapt revolutionary techniques or methods for addiction research, including tools not widely used in SUD science yet but with strong future applicability.
- Test an innovative and significant hypothesis where there is little prior work or limited preliminary data, and where results could materially change prevailing assumptions or models in the SUD field.
Does a project need extensive preliminary data to be competitive?
No. This opportunity is intended for early-stage, high-uncertainty work. It specifically supports testing innovative hypotheses where there is little prior work or limited preliminary data, with emphasis on the potential upside if the project succeeds.
Is this opportunity limited to certain methods or scientific approaches?
No. The announcement describes a broad scope and encourages methodological leaps, including new measurement approaches, analytic frameworks, experimental platforms, and other techniques that change what researchers can observe or test in addiction science.
What does "high-risk, potentially high-reward" mean in the context of this program?
It refers to projects that may be more uncertain than typical grants but have the potential to produce transformative advances in understanding, preventing, or treating substance use disorders if successful.
Is this funding opportunity focused on basic research or applied research?
It is focused on bold, early-stage basic research on substance use disorders, including foundational work that could ultimately influence prevention and treatment.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional." Applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial if it fits the aims, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.
What federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a NIDA (NIH) funding opportunity.
What is the opportunity number for this announcement?
The opportunity number is PAR-21-208.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity aligns with CFDA number 93.279, which corresponds to NIDA research support.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $150,000.
When is (or was) the closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2024-08-14.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2021-03-26.
What type of grant program is this?
It is listed as a discretionary grant program.
Which applicant organization types are eligible?
The announcement is inclusive and allows applications from many organization types, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- 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
- Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (when not an institution of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Are minority-serving and mission-focused institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including:
- 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 and community-based organizations
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement includes eligible federal agencies among the highlighted applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The announcement includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) entities among eligible applicant categories.
What is the best fit for CEBRA in practical terms?
CEBRA is positioned as an NIH/NIDA entry point for investigators or teams with a transformative idea or novel tool for addiction science that is still early enough that the strongest justification is potential impact rather than extensive preliminary results.
Does this program prioritize projects already common in NIDA's portfolio?
No. A stated intent of the announcement is to support high-risk, potentially high-reward science that is not already well represented in NIDA's existing research portfolio.
What are examples of the kinds of "revolutionary techniques or methods" described?
The announcement points to possibilities such as new measurement approaches, analytic frameworks, experimental platforms, or other methodological leaps, especially tools not widely used in SUD science yet but with strong future applicability.
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