Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
Pharmacological, neurobiological, behavioral, cellular, and genetic research has provided rich insight into how addictive drugs exert their actions on the brain and other organs. Neurobiological, behavioral and cognitive studies have shown how addictive drugs affect behavior and information processing in the brain, and have helped to elucidate the normal behavioral and neurobiological processes that are "hijacked" by addictive substances. They have also helped us understand motivational aspects of SUDs and other relevant behaviors, emotional regulation, and decision-making processes. Genetic, epigenetic, and single cell studies have delineated genes, proteins, and epigenetic factors that modulate responses to drug exposures. They have also identified key alleles, genes, and epigenetic modifications associated with various aspects of SUDs and demonstrated that there are genetic differences underlying consumption compared with problematic consequences.
Basic science discoveries have consistently been the basis for many major advances in both clinical and applied SUD research and have contributed to the development and implementation of successful treatment strategies for SUDs and associated behavioral phenotypes. Basic research has also led to the discovery of new targets for medications, non-addictive treatments for pain, the development of technologies that enhance prevention and treatment programs for SUDs, and new approaches for statistical analysis of epidemiological and clinical trials data.
Basic research to establish new animal models and new methods to synthesize small molecules and immunotherapies has supported the development of new medications to treat SUDs. Basic research has also addressed how addictive substances interact with viral infections such as HIV, HBV, and HCV. In addition, technologies and approaches, such as nanobiology, bioengineering, epigenomics, computational science, imaging methods and optogenetics have had a significant impact on cutting-edge research. However, there is still a need to increase our understanding of SUDs and related disorders through transformative basic research in all these areas in order to develop effective diagnostic, treatment and prevention interventions to alleviate the pain and devastation of addiction.
The goal of NIDA's CEBRA program is to accelerate the pace of discoveries to advance addiction research by encouraging scientifically sound applications that focus on innovation. The CEBRA encourages researchers to explore new approaches, test imaginative new ideas, and challenge existing paradigms in drug addiction research.
We encourage the development of:
- Methods to test emerging hypotheses on various aspects of SUD research in humans and a variety of animal models
- Tools and methods to better capture the molecular and cellular underpinnings of SUD
- New mathematical and/or statistical models
- Novel strategies to enhance treatment and prevention
- Advances that incorporate innovative cell biology studies
The CEBRA program will support high-risk, high impact research that: (1) tests an innovative and significant hypothesis for which there are scant precedent or preliminary data and which, if confirmed, would transform current thinking; or (2) develops, and/or adapts, revolutionary techniques or methods for addiction research or that show promising future applicability to SUD research.
The combined budget for direct costs for the two year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $150,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year.
March 10, 2025, August 12, 2025
Tristan D. McClure-Begley, PhD
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Phone: 301-451-1467
Email: tristan.mcclure-begley@nih.gov