Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) | PA 17 157

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 157

The Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) opportunity (PA 17-157) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant aimed at moving substance use disorder (SUD) research beyond gene discovery and into biological proof and mechanism. It is built on the idea that large-scale genetic and genomic studies have already produced many candidate genes, risk variants, epigenetic marks, and non-coding RNA signals associated with SUDs, but that association alone does not explain what is causal, what is consequential, or how these molecular factors actually alter brain and body biology to influence addiction-related behaviors and clinical outcomes. This FOA supports early-stage, exploratory, and potentially high-impact projects that can rapidly test function and clarify mechanisms rather than simply report additional associations.

The research emphasis is explicitly split into two major areas. First, the FOA encourages functional validation work to determine which candidate genes, specific variants, epigenetic features, or non-coding RNA elements truly play an authentic role in SUDs. In practice, that means studies designed to separate real biological drivers from correlated signals, such as demonstrating that altering a candidate gene, regulatory element, methylation site, histone modification pattern, microRNA, lncRNA, or other non-coding RNA changes SUD-relevant phenotypes. Second, it encourages deeper mechanistic studies that map the molecular pathways and cellular processes influenced by these candidates, especially when the implicated genes have an unexpected or previously unrecognized role in addiction biology. The intent is to reveal the chain of events from a genetic or regulatory perturbation to changes in gene expression, cellular function, neural circuitry, and ultimately behavior or other SUD-relevant outcomes.

As an R21 mechanism, the program is oriented toward hypothesis-generating and proof-of-concept studies that can open new directions, validate novel targets, or establish key mechanistic links that justify larger follow-on projects. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, which signals a smaller, time-limited scope typical of R21 projects, suitable for focused functional experiments, pilot functional genomics, initial pathway mapping, or establishing a new model system or assay for SUD-relevant functional validation. The activity categories associated with the listing are education and health, and the CFDA number provided is 93.279.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA 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 or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth reflects a goal of drawing on diverse scientific environments and populations, and encouraging participation from institutions that serve historically underrepresented groups.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is issued by NIH, created on 2017-02-08, and lists an original closing date of 2020-05-07. While the listing is presented as a single opportunity record, NIH FOAs often run across multiple receipt dates or get reissued; the key takeaway for a summary is that this announcement was intended to fund functional genetics and genomics research that translates SUD genetic findings into validated biological mechanisms, with a modest R21 budget cap and wide organizational eligibility.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21)" 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 2017-02-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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 $200,000.00 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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