Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 182

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 182

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number PAR 20 182 (CFDA 93.279). The program uses the R01 research project grant mechanism and is specifically limited to non-clinical trial research, meaning projects must focus on preclinical or basic research rather than testing interventions in humans.

The main goal of this announcement is to accelerate research that can systematically identify and characterize the brain cells and cell groups involved in opioid biology in rodents. NIH is looking for projects that use innovative, scalable, and high-throughput technologies to create detailed inventories and registrations of the cellular ensembles and/or distinct cell types that either produce opioids, respond to opioids, or serve as primary pharmacological targets of opioid drugs. A key emphasis is on approaches capable of single-cell resolution, so that mapping is not just at the level of broad brain regions but can pinpoint specific neuronal and non-neuronal populations and the ensembles they form.

Projects supported by this opportunity are expected to focus on one or more of three tightly linked aims: mapping (where relevant cells are located and how they are organized in the brain), anatomical characterization (how these cells connect, what circuits they participate in, and how they are arranged relative to known neuroanatomical landmarks), and molecular profiling (what genes, transcripts, proteins, receptors, or other molecular signatures define these opioid-related cells and ensembles). NIH also highlights interest in studies that connect cell activity to opioid-related behaviors in rodents, meaning applicants can focus on cells whose activity changes correlate with behaviors associated with opioid exposure, reward, dependence, withdrawal, analgesia, or other opioid-relevant behavioral endpoints, as long as the work remains within the non-clinical trial boundary.

The solicitation places special value on methods that can scale, suggesting NIH wants datasets and maps that are broad, systematic, and potentially reusable by the wider research community. In practice, that points toward platforms and pipelines that can label, record, and profile large numbers of cells across brain regions, rather than small, low-throughput experiments. The overall intent is to produce robust, high-resolution cellular and molecular reference information about where opioids act in the rodent brain and which cell populations and ensembles mediate those actions.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants, such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.

Key administrative details provided in the source include an original closing date of 2020-06-24 and an award ceiling listed at $1,000,000. The listing also includes an "ExpectedAwards" field, but the number of awards is not specified in the provided text. Overall, the opportunity is designed to fund large, technology-forward preclinical neuroscience projects that can precisely identify, map, and molecularly define the specific rodent brain cell types and ensembles that drive or reflect opioid action and opioid-related behaviors.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Large scale mapping and/or molecular profiling of ensembles and/or cell-types mediating opioid action in the rodent brain (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-05-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 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 20 182

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