Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use and misuse in adult populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 23 270

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 270

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR 23-270) supports R01 research grants that run clinical trials to test new and practical ways to implement Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use and misuse among adults who experience health disparities. It is led by the NIH Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) in partnership with multiple NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, reflecting an emphasis on prevention-focused, real-world strategies that can be adopted and sustained in settings where underserved populations receive care or services. The central goal is not simply to study whether SBIRT works in theory, but to prospectively test innovative implementation approaches, meaning applicants are expected to evaluate how SBIRT/P can be delivered effectively, consistently, and at scale in routine practice, while addressing barriers that contribute to inequitable health outcomes.

SBIRT/P, as used in this announcement, refers to a structured set of actions: screening individuals to identify risk levels related to ATOD use and misuse, delivering a brief intervention that typically involves a focused conversation aimed at increasing awareness and motivating behavior change, and then providing referral either to treatment or to preventive services when needed. The addition of "or Prevention" highlights that referral pathways are not limited to specialty treatment; they can also include services meant to prevent escalation, reduce harm, or connect people to supportive resources earlier. Applications should therefore consider the full continuum of care, including how screening results trigger next steps, how brief interventions are delivered (by whom, when, and with what tools), and how referral processes are made actionable, timely, and acceptable to participants.

A key expectation is that studies will be carried out in collaboration with healthcare and community partners. This points to research designs that are embedded in real delivery systems such as primary care clinics, emergency departments, community health centers, behavioral health settings, public health programs, social service agencies, housing services, and other community-based organizations that routinely interact with populations experiencing disparities. Competitive projects will typically show strong partnerships and clear operational plans for integrating SBIRT/P into workflows, training staff, using health information technology where appropriate, and ensuring follow-through on referrals. Because this is a clinical trial required mechanism, the project must include prospective assignment to an intervention and measure health- or behavior-related outcomes, while also often capturing implementation outcomes like reach, adoption, fidelity, acceptability, feasibility, cost, and sustainability.

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the NIH grant mechanism under an R01. It falls under health and education activity categories and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, and 93.399, indicating participation across multiple NIH components. While the notice references that the specific research interests of participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices are detailed in the full announcement, the overall theme is consistent: rigorous, forward-looking tests of SBIRT/P implementation strategies that can reduce disparities in substance-related harms and improve outcomes in adult populations that have historically had less access to effective prevention and treatment services.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; public housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations. The notice also calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly restricts non-U.S. entities: foreign institutions and other non-domestic organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. However, foreign components, as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning certain discrete, well-justified international elements may be permitted when they are part of a U.S.-led application and meet NIH policy requirements.

The opportunity was created on August 16, 2023, and lists an original closing date of May 7, 2027, indicating a multi-year window in which applications can be submitted for relevant receipt dates tied to the NOFO. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided summary, which is common for NIH notices where budgets are shaped by the scope of the proposed project, NIH policy limits, and available appropriations. Overall, this NOFO is aimed at teams that can run a well-designed clinical trial while also dealing directly with the practical realities of delivering SBIRT/P in settings serving adults facing disproportionate substance-related risks and consequences, with the broader intention of generating evidence that can be translated into routine practice and help close equity gaps.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use and misuse in adult populations that experience health disparities (R01, Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-05-07.
• 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 23 270

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