Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 917
Developing the Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System for Pain Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity designed to fund research that clarifies how cannabinoids and the body s own endocannabinoid system can be leveraged to create more targeted, mechanism-based treatments for pain. The central emphasis is on advancing scientific understanding of cannabinoid-related biology in ways that can translate into better pain therapeutics, including identifying actionable pathways, targets, or interventions that could ultimately improve pain management. Because it is an R01 mechanism, the opportunity is structured to support substantial, hypothesis-driven projects with clearly defined aims and strong methodological rigor. The clinical trial optional designation means applicants may propose studies that do not involve clinical trials (such as preclinical, translational, mechanistic, or biomarker-focused work) or, if appropriate, may include a clinical trial component, provided the proposed trial aligns with the FOA scope and NIH requirements.
The opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and uses the grant funding instrument. It is associated with activity areas spanning education, health, income security, and social services, reflecting NIH s broad public health mission and the real-world impacts of pain on function, quality of life, and societal costs. The listing includes multiple CFDA numbers (93.213, 93.273, 93.279, 93.393, 93.865), indicating the FOA may align with several NIH institutes or programs that share interests in pain research, neuroscience, drug development, and related translational efforts. While an award ceiling is not specified in the provided data, the R01 format typically supports multi-year research programs with budgets that must be well justified and appropriate to the scientific scope.
A wide range of applicants are eligible, which is consistent with NIH s goal of encouraging broad participation and multidisciplinary approaches. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts. Academic applicants can include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal participation is explicitly supported through eligibility for federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, and additional categories that widen access such as Indian or Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized. Housing-related public entities such as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are also eligible, which can be relevant when pain research intersects with community health, underserved populations, or implementation contexts. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may also apply, allowing participation from biotechnology and pharmaceutical developers alongside academic and public-sector researchers. The FOA also explicitly welcomes applications from a number of institution types and community-centered organizations, 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations are also listed as eligible, and the FOA permits non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as well as U.S. territories or possessions, broadening the geographic and institutional reach.
In practical terms, competitive projects under this FOA would be expected to deepen knowledge about cannabinoid and endocannabinoid signaling relevant to pain, connect that biology to therapeutic strategies, and justify how the work advances mechanism-based pain treatment rather than purely descriptive findings. Depending on the proposed approach, this could include clarifying receptor or pathway contributions to pain states, identifying novel targets within the endocannabinoid system, developing or testing candidate interventions that modulate these pathways, or establishing translational measures that can bridge preclinical findings to human studies. If applicants choose to include a clinical trial, it would need to be well motivated by prior evidence, have a clear mechanistic rationale, and include appropriate design features, outcomes, and oversight consistent with NIH expectations for clinical research.
The funding opportunity is identified as PA 18 917, was created on 2018-09-10, and lists an original closing date of 2021-09-07 in the provided record. Overall, the FOA is aimed at accelerating scientifically grounded pain therapeutics by investing in rigorous projects that interrogate and harness the cannabinoid and endocannabinoid system, while also encouraging participation from diverse institution types, community organizations, and domestic and international research entities.Apply for PA 18 917
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Developing the Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System for Pain Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.273, 93.279, 93.393, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-09-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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FAQs: Developing the Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System for Pain Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity titled "Developing the Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System for Pain Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)." It is designed to fund research that clarifies how cannabinoids and the body's own endocannabinoid system can be leveraged to create more targeted, mechanism-based treatments for pain.
What is the main goal of the opportunity?
The central emphasis is to advance scientific understanding of cannabinoid-related biology in ways that can translate into better pain therapeutics. Projects are expected to move beyond purely descriptive findings and instead identify actionable pathways, targets, or interventions that could ultimately improve pain management.
What does "endocannabinoid system" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this opportunity, the endocannabinoid system refers to the body's cannabinoid-related biology (including signaling pathways and related mechanisms) that may be harnessed to develop more mechanism-based pain treatments. The FOA focuses on clarifying how this system can be leveraged therapeutically for pain.
What type of NIH award mechanism is this?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism. The R01 format is intended to support substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects with clearly defined aims and strong methodological rigor.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose studies that do not involve clinical trials (for example, preclinical, translational, mechanistic, or biomarker-focused work). If appropriate and within scope, applicants may also include a clinical trial component, as long as the proposed trial aligns with the FOA and NIH clinical research requirements.
Are clinical trials required to apply?
No. Clinical trials are not required. The FOA explicitly allows non-clinical-trial research, while permitting a clinical trial component when it is appropriate, well justified, and consistent with NIH expectations.
What kinds of non-clinical-trial projects fit this FOA?
Based on the description provided, examples include preclinical, translational, mechanistic, or biomarker-focused studies that deepen knowledge about cannabinoid and endocannabinoid signaling as it relates to pain and that point toward actionable therapeutic strategies.
If a clinical trial is included, what is expected?
If applicants include a clinical trial, the trial should be well motivated by prior evidence, have a clear mechanistic rationale, and include appropriate design features, outcomes, and oversight consistent with NIH expectations for clinical research.
What scientific focus areas are encouraged?
Competitive projects are expected to deepen knowledge about cannabinoid and endocannabinoid signaling relevant to pain, connect that biology to therapeutic strategies, and justify how the work advances mechanism-based pain treatment. The description mentions work such as clarifying receptor or pathway contributions to pain states, identifying novel targets in the endocannabinoid system, developing or testing candidate interventions that modulate these pathways, and establishing translational measures that can bridge preclinical findings to human studies.
Does the FOA emphasize translation to therapeutics?
Yes. The emphasis is on advancing scientific understanding in ways that can translate into better pain therapeutics, including identifying actionable pathways, targets, or interventions with real potential to improve pain management.
Is this considered a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is listed under the discretionary grant category.
What funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses the grant funding instrument.
What activity areas does this opportunity relate to?
The listing is associated with activity areas spanning education, health, income security, and social services. This reflects NIH's broad public health mission and the real-world impacts of pain on function, quality of life, and societal costs.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The listing includes multiple CFDA numbers: 93.213, 93.273, 93.279, 93.393, and 93.865. This suggests alignment with several NIH institutes or programs that share interests in pain research, neuroscience, drug development, and related translational efforts.
Is there an award ceiling listed?
No award ceiling is specified in the provided information. The description notes that the R01 format typically supports multi-year research programs with budgets that must be well justified and appropriate to the scientific scope.
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of applicants are eligible. The provided information lists eligibility across government entities, academic institutions, tribal entities, housing-related public entities, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, community-centered organizations, and foreign organizations, as well as U.S. territories or possessions.
Are state and local governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, and additional categories that widen access such as Indian or Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.
Are nonprofits eligible, and is 501(c)(3) status required?
Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, according to the provided information.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may also apply. This allows participation from biotechnology and pharmaceutical developers alongside academic and public-sector researchers.
Are minority-serving institutions and community-centered organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly welcomes applications from 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations are also listed as eligible.
Can non-U.S. entities apply?
Yes. The FOA permits non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). It also permits U.S. territories or possessions.
What is the FOA identifier?
The funding opportunity is identified as PA 18 917.
When was this FOA created?
The record states it was created on 2018-09-10.
What is the original closing date listed in the record?
The provided record lists an original closing date of 2021-09-07.
What would make a project competitive under this FOA?
Based on the description, competitive projects would be expected to (1) deepen knowledge of cannabinoid and endocannabinoid signaling relevant to pain, (2) clearly connect the biology to therapeutic strategies, and (3) justify how the work advances mechanism-based pain treatment. As an R01, the project should be substantial, hypothesis-driven, and methodologically rigorous, with clearly defined aims.
Does the FOA support mechanistic and biomarker-oriented work?
Yes. The FOA description explicitly indicates that non-clinical-trial studies may include mechanistic or biomarker-focused work, among other approaches.
Does this opportunity focus only on cannabinoids as drugs?
The description focuses broadly on "cannabinoids and the body's own endocannabinoid system" and how they can be leveraged for more targeted pain treatments. It is framed around cannabinoid-related biology and endocannabinoid signaling as a basis for mechanism-based therapeutics.
Is this FOA limited to a single NIH institute?
The provided information does not limit it to a single institute. The presence of multiple CFDA numbers suggests the FOA may align with several NIH institutes or programs that share interests in pain research, neuroscience, drug development, and translational efforts.
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