This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) calls for research on pain management in the context of opioid use or opioid use disorder (OUD). In particular, NIAMS is interested in providing data-driven evidence regarding effective mechanisms for reducing reliance on opioids while maintaining quality of life. Funds for Competitive Revisions to active grants are available as part of the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM) Initiative and awardees will operate within the Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program, a part of the NIH HEAL InitiativeSM. Investigators with active grants in the area of chronic pain and/or addiction are encouraged to apply. This award has two phases, a one-year Planning Phase and a two to three year Research Project Phase.

Research objectives

In order to effectively reduce reliance on opioids in the treatment of chronic low back pain while maintaining quality of life, NIAMS is encouraging the submission of applications for Competitive Revisions to active grants to provide evidence-based data to inform clinical practice guidelines. Research areas of interest include:

• Project Planning Phase: What are the key questions providers and patients have with respect to opioid use for managing chronic pain? Questions of interest might be patient-centric and/or provider-focused, e.g., When is it appropriate to prescribe opioids for chronic pain; if someone is already taking opioids for pain management what are the most effective means for reducing this dependence; what alternatives exist?
• Research Project Phase: Investigators should propose strategies to test the most effective means of managing pain while reducing dependence on opioids with the intent of informing clinical practice.

Funding

NIAMS intends to commit $320,000 in FY2020, the Planning Phase, and $800,000 each year of the Research Project Phase, FY2021 through FY2023, to fund up to two awards. Budget and research project length should reflect project needs, and the parent grant must be active throughout the duration of the Competitive Revision.

Submission requirements

Applications in response to this NOSI must be submitted using the following target funding opportunity:

• PA-18-935 Urgent Competitive Revision to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Urgent Supplement – Clinical Trial Optional)

Need Help?

• General enquiries: Khloe Xu, rbinternational@adelaide.edu.au