Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 24 297

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 297

The Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR-24-297; CFDA 93.279) meant to help investigators break into brain imaging research or pivot their programs to include neuroimaging. The main goal is to expand the pool of researchers who can use modern neuroimaging tools and methods to answer questions that matter for substance use disorders and addiction. It is positioned as an entry and transition mechanism: it supports both newly independent investigators building their first independent imaging direction and established investigators who have solid research programs but need dedicated support to develop, learn, and adopt imaging approaches that are new to their work.

The award uses the NIH R03 Small Research Grant mechanism, which is built for focused projects that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources. In practical terms, this NOFO is aiming for small, tightly scoped, proof-of-concept studies rather than large multi-year programs. Projects should be designed to demonstrate feasibility, generate preliminary evidence, or validate an imaging approach, pipeline, or experimental design that can later serve as the foundation for larger grants. Because the opportunity is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the aims, but a clinical trial is not required; strong non-trial imaging studies that still advance addiction-relevant science and methods fit the intent as well.

The science focus centers on neuroimaging tools and methodologies relevant to substance use and addiction research. While the notice does not list specific modalities in the provided text, “brain imaging research” in NIH contexts commonly includes approaches such as MRI/fMRI, diffusion imaging, spectroscopy, PET, EEG/MEG when paired with neuroimaging-style analytic frameworks, and other quantitative imaging strategies, along with the associated computational, statistical, and methodological development needed to apply them rigorously. The emphasis on “develop and adopt” signals that applications can reasonably focus on implementing new acquisition protocols, building analytic pipelines, harmonizing imaging data with behavioral or clinical measures, testing feasibility in a target population, or piloting an imaging marker or task paradigm relevant to addiction mechanisms, risk, progression, or treatment response.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based applicant organizations: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; 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. The announcement also explicitly highlights 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, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations. At the same time, it draws a firm line on project structure: foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed, meaning applicants must plan the work so that NIH’s “foreign component” restrictions are not triggered even if a foreign organization is involved in some way.

Key administrative details included in the opportunity summary are an award ceiling of $150,000 and an original closing date of January 7, 2028. The funding instrument is a grant under a discretionary opportunity category, and the sponsoring agency is NIH. Taken together, the program is essentially a runway for investigators who need a smaller, time-limited award to establish imaging capability, collect pilot data, and de-risk an addiction-focused imaging idea so it is ready for scale-up in subsequent, larger applications.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Imaging - Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03 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 2024-09-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 24 297

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