National Institutes of Health logo
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant

Accelerating the Pace of Substance Use Research Using Existing Data (R21)

Funds the exploratory R21 version of new analysis on existing social, behavioral, administrative and neuroimaging drug-use data.

Enormous amounts of data on drug-using behavior already exist. This notice funds asking a genuinely new question of it, rather than collecting more — the same call as its R01 sibling, run at exploratory scale instead.

What is funded is innovative analysis of existing social science, behavioral, administrative, and neuroimaging data, to study the etiology and epidemiology of drug-using behaviors —

Innovative secondary analysis of existing social science, behavioral, administrative and neuroimaging data — public use and other extant community-based or clinical datasets — studying the etiology and epidemiology of drug-using behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, prescription and other drugs) and related disorders, prevention of drug use and HIV, and health service utilization. Clinical trials are not allowed.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.3 Dec 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see how they score you

Sign up free to see the timeline

Sign up free to see where teams trip up

Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: RFA-DA-26-056Source: www.grants.gov