Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 240

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 240

The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-25-240) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program designed to support U.S.-focused policy research that can reduce disparities in exposure to and use of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. The core idea is to fund studies that evaluate new policies or modifications to existing policies and to measure how those policy changes affect substance use patterns and secondhand exposure, especially in communities that experience disproportionate health burdens. The emphasis is not only on whether a policy "works" on average, but on whether it narrows or widens inequities and how it changes cancer prevention-relevant risks across different populations.

A central requirement of the program is authentic engagement with one or more community organizations. This is meant to ensure the research is grounded in real community priorities, improves the relevance and interpretation of findings, and helps position the work to translate into practical, equitable policy solutions. In other words, the program is looking for projects that do more than analyze laws on paper; it wants research that connects policy design and implementation to lived experience, real-world enforcement, access, marketing environments, and downstream health-related outcomes tied to cancer prevention.

The opportunity supports research on policies related to tobacco, alcohol, and/or cannabis, either individually or in combination. Projects can examine policies that are brand new, recently implemented, or adapted in response to changing product landscapes and legal environments. The outcomes of interest include substance use behaviors and secondhand exposure, with a clear equity lens: applicants should focus on populations experiencing disparities and explicitly examine differential impacts by group, place, or structural conditions that shape risk. The long-term goal stated in the announcement is to build a stronger evidence base for policy approaches that improve health equity and advance cancer prevention by reducing harmful use and exposure.

This is an R01 grant mechanism with "Clinical Trial Optional" indicated, meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but clinical trials are not required. The award ceiling listed is $500,000, and the opportunity remains open with an original closing date of January 7, 2028, indicating multiple submission cycles may be available during the open period (as is common with NIH program announcements).

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement 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, and U.S. territories or possessions.

The program has clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply under this announcement. In practical terms, the applicant organization and the work proposed under the grant should be domestic and structured to comply with these limits.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant in the NIH portfolio, categorized under education and health funding activities, and associated with CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.393, and 93.399. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at teams that can bring together policy analysis, rigorous research methods, and meaningful community partnership to produce actionable evidence on how tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis policies can be designed and implemented in ways that reduce disparities and support equitable cancer prevention outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (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): 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.393, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 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 25 240

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