NIH R-36 Application Drug Abuse Dissertation Research: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Services, and/or Women and Sex/Gender Differences

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Components of Participating Organization(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Release Date: November 4, 2009 Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Not Applicable Application Due Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see: AIDS Application Due Date(s): Standard dates apply, please see: Peer Review Date(s): Standard dates apply Council Review Date(s): Standard dates apply Earliest Anticipated Start Date: Standard dates apply

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Overall goal: To support drug abuse doctoral dissertation research in epidemiology, prevention, treatment, services, and/or women and sex/gender differences, areas in which there is a significant need for new investigators. Grant support is designed to encourage doctoral candidates from a variety of academic disciplines and programs to conduct research in these areas of interest to NIDA. It is hoped that this program will ultimately facilitate the entry of promising new investigators into the field of drug abuse research. Research studies focused on HIV/AIDS and Health Disparities are encouraged. Duration: 2 years with possibility of 12-month extension Budget Amount: No more than $50,000 in direct costs per year Research training activities: Epidemiology Prevention Treatment Services Women and Sex/Gender Differences Award covers: -Research assistants’ salaries, direct research project expenses (data processing, payments to subjects, supplies, consultants, dissertation costs such as printing/binding) - Not allowed: tuition, alteration/renovations, contracting costs, faculty salary or space rental

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Eligible Principle Investigator: -Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PD/PI is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. - The PD/PI for a dissertation research grant must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program in the behavioral, biomedical, or social sciences and must propose to conduct research in one of the areas specified in this funding opportunity announcement. The PD/PI must be a registered doctoral student in good standing. - The PD/PI doctoral student must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or an individual who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551) at the time of application. -A doctoral student who receives support for dissertation research under a grant from NIDA may not hold concurrently another federally sponsored fellowship or similar Federal award, such as a National Research Service Award (NRSA) that provides a stipend or otherwise duplicates provisions of this grant program. A NIDA dissertation grant recipient may, however, accept concurrent educational remuneration from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and loans from Federal funds. Receipt of non-Federal funds during the grant period is also allowable if it is in accordance with the sponsoring institution's policy and does not detract from or prolong the approved doctoral training program.

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Examples of Research Foci in Epidemiology : Studies of multiple factors that influence drug use outcomes. That is, studies that examine genetic, neurological, biomedical, familial, environmental, social, cultural, developmental, psychopathological, psychological, their interactions, and mediating characteristics. Development and improvement of techniques for studying drug abuse, including enhancements in measurement, development of improved sampling procedures, and refinement of analytic methods. Development of innovative approaches to identify both physical (ecological) and social environmental/contextual characteristics of local communities that influence drug use, emerging drug use patterns, and adverse drug-related outcomes. Studies of emerging trends (e.g., club drugs), including studies that relate these trends to influences such as changes in social attitudes, new drugs of abuse, new patterns of social interaction, new technologies, new drug trafficking patterns, and similar macro-level changes. Research on drug use and drug-related consequences among ethnic/racial minority groups and other underserved populations. This includes studies that uncover the basis for racial/ethnic disparities in drug use and social, behavioral, and health outcomes related to drug use. Research to assess the impact of drug use on adverse behavioral, social, and health consequences (e.g., violence, educational attainment, HIV) as well as the role of adverse consequences on further drug involvement.

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Examples of Research Foci in Prevention : Studies that use findings on cognitive strategies and functioning to improve or develop targeted drug abuse or drug-related HIV prevention messages and approaches. Studies on the efficacy of drug abuse prevention program and strategies that are largely untested but widely used such as: case management, mentoring, job training, and challenge activities. Studies to develop and test the efficacy of interventions for specific contexts such as primary care settings, college and/or personnel orientation programs, workplaces, faith-based settings, and community recreational settings. Tests for the effectiveness of proven drug abuse or HIV prevention interventions for sexual minorities, underserved youth, or for individuals at-risk for co-occurring drug abuse, psychiatric disorders, anti- social behavior, and/or high-risk sexual behaviors. Studies of the initiation, development, and continuity of community coalitions to prevent drug abuse and their impact on selection and implementation of effective drug abuse prevention strategies. Studies to develop and pilot test brief preventive intervention programs designed to reduce risk for drug abuse and sexual risk taking in hard-to-reach populations. Pilot drug abuse or drug-related HIV prevention studies designed to identify novel approaches to risk reduction, such as through altering physical environments, promoting physical activity, and promoting mindfulness-based preventive interventions.

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Examples of Research Foci in Treatment : Stage I studies developing or adapting behavioral interventions that promote adherence to drug and alcohol abuse pharmacotherapy Adapting/modifying evidence-based treatments for use in non-traditional and community settings, into community-friendly formats (e.g., individual to group, briefer formats, less intensive delivery, computer-assisted delivery, etc.), and evaluating their resulting potency Developing and assessing treatment provider training procedures for evidence-based treatments (e.g., computerizing training procedures; this can include initial training as well as supervision requirements). Developing interventions to promote adherence to medical treatment regimens in HIV+ drug users. Research on instrument development and/or psychometric analysis of tools for the clinical assessment of drug abuse, treatment efficacy, treatment fidelity, and HIV risk, or for constructs believed to be related to mechanisms of action of behavioral treatment efficacy. Research to develop and test a therapy module to be added to an existing therapy to address targeted issues (e.g., adding an HIV risk reduction module to a family therapy for drug-abusing adolescents). Research to integrate innovative health technologies into new or existing behavioral and integrative treatments. Research testing a principle of behavior change among drug-abusers in treatment (e.g., by adding more frequent or multi-method assessments to an existing study in order to track behavior change over time).

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Examples of Research Foci in Service : Studies to assess the impact of financing and organizational and managerial factors on access to and use, quality, efficiency, costs, and outcomes of prevention and treatment services. Research to measure the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefits of drug abuse prevention and treatment services. Drug abuse service delivery systems and models, such as continuity of care, development of therapeutic rapport, service linkages and integration models. Studies that advance the adoption and implementation of evidence-based drug abuse prevention and treatment interventions into service delivery systems (e.g., specialty care, primary care, criminal justice, child welfare). Drug abuse treatment and prevention services for HIV seropositive patients and for those at risk of HIV infection and other diseases that are a consequence of drug abuse. Research focusing on the development or improvement of research methods---including but not limited to study design, measurement, data collection, and analytic procedures---for studying the societal impact of drug abuse and/or the delivery, quality, outcomes, and economics of drug abuse prevention or treatment services.

NIH R-36 Application – PAR Examples of Research Foci in Women and Sex/Gender Differences : Through this dissertation award program, NIDA seeks to foster research on females and sex/gender differences in all areas of drug abuse research. From basic cellular and genetics research to epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and services research, investigators are encouraged to explore the possible importance of sex/gender differences in their chosen area of study and to explore drug abuse issues specific to females. Examples of research areas include, but are not limited to the following: Sex/Gender differences in the basic behavioral, biological, and genetic mechanisms underlying drug abuse and addiction; and laboratory (both human and animal), clinical, and epidemiological studies of sex/gender differences in the determinants of initiation, progression, maintenance of drug use and addiction, and responsiveness to treatment. The application of sex/gender-specific theories and empirical research on the origins, pathways, and risk and protective factors related to drug use, progression/transition, and maintenance, to the design, development, and testing of gender-sensitive prevention and treatment strategies and interventions to determine effectiveness and efficacy. The development and testing of theoretically-based drug treatment approaches (including behavioral treatment and pharmacotherapies) that address sex/gender-specific issues and the examination of sex/gender-specific issues related to the effective and efficient delivery of drug abuse treatment services. The development and evaluation of sex/gender-specific interventions directed at preventing HIV infection and treating HIV/AIDS among drug using populations.