National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Behavioral and social sciences research plays an important role in the NIDA's search for solutions to the complex social and public health problems posed by drug abuse and addiction. These scientific disciplines provide the NIDA with the knowledge necessary to better predict, prevent, and treat drug abuse and addiction problems. The NIDA is interested in supporting research that investigates the role of cognitive and/or emotional variables mediating or moderating the development of drug abuse and addiction from the initiation of drug abuse ("chipping" or occasional drug use), the maintenance or continuation of drug-raking behaviors (chronic abuse, including escalation to compulsive abuse and its associated negative consequences), relapse, and characteristics of sustained abstinence. The study of cognitive and/or emotional factors (e.g., self-regulation, beliefs, self-attributes, perceived risks or benefits) that influence vulnerability or resistance to drug abuse is also of interest. Investigators may study responsivity to acute drug challenge, including the examination of how physiological, motivational, or subjective responses to drugs of abuse are influenced by cognitive and emotional variables (e.g., expectancy, affective state, emotional context). Also appropriate would be studies examining cognitive and emotional variables (e.g., coping, emotional regulation, self-efficacy) in the context of treatment or preventive interventions (e.g., role in adherence or compliance). The study of decisions and other cognitive processes and their associated neural substrates, which give rise to sexual risk behavior, is also an area of research interest. Studies on the influence of physiological indicators of stress, stress perception, or stress reactivity on drug abuse vulnerability or clinical outcome may be included in proposed investigations. The NIDA has an interest in supporting research that investigates the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of medical, behavioral, health, and other consequences of drug abuse, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and sexually transmitted: diseases. Research of interest includes, for example, identifying how drug use affects the sensory perceptual system and cognitive abilities such as planning and organizing in terms of risk behaviors. Given that drug users and their sex partners account for a substantial proportion of new HIV infections in the United States each year, studies to improve understanding of the behavioral, social, and environmental mechanisms that facilitate HIV transmission and other infectious diseases among drug users are welcome. The NIDA's focus on health promotion and disease prevention encourages researchers to investigate strategies for tailoring interventions to optimize their beneficial effects to determine which interventions work, for whom, and under what conditions.

Applicant institutions may request funds to conduct regular research projects (R01). This RFA is restricted to the NIH R01 award mechanism. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. The participating institutes and centers intend to commit at least $3.5 million in fiscal years 2004 or 2005 to fund approximately 11 new grants in response to this RFA. You may request a project period of up to five years. The anticipated award date is September through October 2004. Applications that are not funded in the competition described in this RFA may be resubmitted as new investigator-initiated applications using the standard receipt dates for new applications described in the instructions to the PHS 398 application.

This RFA uses just-in-time concepts. It also uses the modular as well as nonmodular budgeting formats (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/ modular/modular.htm). Specifically, if you are submitting an application with direct costs in each year of $250,000 or less, use the modular format. Otherwise, follow the instructions for nonmodular research grant applications. This program does not require cost sharing as defined in the current NIH Grants Policy Statement at http://grants.nih.gov/ Grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_i_1.htm.

The deadline for receipt of letters of intent is 17 November 2004, with 17 December 2004 the deadline for receipt of applications. Applications must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev. 5/2001). The PHS 398 is available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Complete information on this RFA is located at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/ RFA-OD-03-008.html.

Contact: Sbobha Srinivasan, Susceptibility and Population Health Branch, NIEHS, PO Box 12233, MD EC-21, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA, 919-541-2506, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]; Paige A. McDonald, Basic Biobehavioral Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, NCI, 6130 Executive Bird, MSC 7363, Executive Plaza North, Rm 4062, Bethesda, MD 20892-7363 USA, 301-496-8776, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]; Nancy J. Pearson, NCCAM, NIH, 6707 Democracy Blvd, Rm 401, MSC 5475, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-594-0519, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]; Sarah Knox, Behavioral Medicine Research Group, Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, NHLBI, 6701 Rockledge Dr, MSC 7936, Bethesda, MD 20892-7936 USA, 301-435-0409, e-mail: [e-mail]; Patricia S. Bryant, Clinical, Epidemiology, and Behavioral Research Branch, Division of Population and Health Promotion Sciences, NIDCR, 45 Center Dr, Rm 4AS.43A, Bethesda, MD 20892-6402 USA, 301-594-2095, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]; Jeffrey W. Elias, Individual Behavioral Processes Branch, Behavioral and Social Research Program, NIA, Gateway Bldg, Ste 533, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-402-4156, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]; R. Thomas Gentry, Research Development and Health Disparities Programs, Office of Collaborative Research, NIAAA, Willco Bldg, Ste 302, 6000 Executive Blvd, MSC 7003, Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 USA, 301-443-6009, fax: [phone], e-mail [e-mail]; Ro Nemeth-Coslett, Division of Treatment Research and Development, Clinical Neurobiology Branch, NIDA, 6001 Executive Blvd, Pan 4234, MSC 9551, Bethesda, MD 20892-9551 USA, 301-402-1746, fax: [phone], e-mail: rn29e@ nih.gov. Reference: RFA No. OD-03-008