At a glance
This NIH HEAL program funds early-stage translational work to support analgesic drug discovery, including assay development and validation, screening for initial hits, and in vitro characterization of potential pain-relief agents. It can also support limited preclinical PK, PD, and efficacy studies if the agent is already sufficiently characterized, but it does not support clinical research, target identification/validation, animal model development, or projects focused on opioid sparing or the mu-opioid receptor. Eligible project types include small molecules, biologics, natural products, and some non-mammalian or cell-based assays; applications that are entirely computational or that involve lead optimization or IND-enabling work are not responsive. This is a phased R61/R33 award with the phases not allowed to overlap, and applications must include quantitative go/no-go milestones and an intellectual property strategy. The announcement does not state a specific number of awards, award size, or cost-share requirement, and it has no general geographic restriction; NCCIH notes interest in natural product-derived small molecules and biologics, while NINDS lists several pain condition
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
This funding opportunity is part of a suite of NOFOs within the NIH HEAL Initiative to support the development of safe, effective, and non-addictive therapeutics to treat pain. The goal is to encourage initial translational efforts that will support a drug discovery program and advance projects to the point where they meet the entry criteria for the Pain Therapeutics Development Program. The scope will therefore be focused on development of assays to support a distinct testing funnel, screening efforts to identify hits, and initial characterization of hits and potential therapeutic agents (including small molecules, biologics, and natural products).
Who can apply
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Others
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments