Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 101

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 101

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) funding opportunity (PAR-25-101) is an NIH discretionary grant program using the R21 mechanism, with clinical trials listed as optional. Its core purpose is to spark unusually innovative, conceptually creative basic research that can reshape how the field understands substance use disorders (SUDs). NIDA is explicitly looking for projects that are high-risk but potentially high-reward, especially ideas that are not well represented in NIDA's existing portfolio and that could meaningfully transform SUD research rather than incrementally extend what is already known.

CEBRA is focused on fundamental science tied to the etiology (origins and causes), pathophysiology (biological and system-level mechanisms), prevention, or treatment of SUDs. The opportunity is geared toward proposals that do at least one of two things. First, it supports the development or adaptation of revolutionary techniques, tools, or methods that advance addiction research or show strong promise for future application to SUD questions. This can include entirely new methodological approaches or the creative repurposing of emerging technologies from other scientific areas in a way that unlocks new kinds of SUD research. Second, it supports testing a significant and genuinely novel hypothesis where there is little precedent or preliminary evidence. The emphasis here is that the hypothesis should be important enough that, if confirmed, it would change prevailing assumptions or redirect the field's thinking, and the program accepts that such ideas may not yet have extensive pilot data.

Administratively, this is a grant (Funding Instrument: Grant) under the Education and Health activity category, with CFDA number 93.279. The listed award ceiling is $150,000. The opportunity was created on 2024-12-30, and the original closing date is 2027-08-11. The notice does not specify an expected number of awards in the provided source data.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic public and private organizations, as well as certain international and special categories of applicants. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and additional "other" applicant types. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, U.S. territories or possessions, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Overall, the eligibility language signals an intent to attract unconventional teams and settings, including institutions that may bring distinct community perspectives or specialized capabilities to bold, early-stage SUD science.

In practical terms, a strong CEBRA application is one that leans into originality and potential impact: either a breakthrough enabling method that could open new experimental possibilities in addiction science, or a daring, well-reasoned hypothesis with a clear rationale and a path to a decisive test even if extensive preliminary data are not available. The program is structured to give investigators room to pursue ideas that typical, more conservative funding mechanisms might consider too speculative, as long as the scientific premise is compelling and the payoff could be field-changing for substance use disorder research.

• 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 2024-12-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-08-11.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 25 101

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