Overview

Through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, NIH supports research to enhance pain management and improve treatment for opioid misuse and addiction. The NIH HEAL Initiative includes research focus areas led by most NIH Institutes and Centers supporting hundreds of projects that reflect the full spectrum of research from basic science to implementation research.

HEAL Policy for the Enrollment of Participants in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials to identify and test new safe and effective treatment approaches for opioid use disorder and chronic pain are an essential component of HEAL research. To ensure that such clinical trials are conducted as safely and efficiently as possible, researchers must meet certain requirements when recruiting study participants. These requirements are specified in the HEAL Policy for the Enrollment of Participants in Clinical Trials, which also outlines the responsibilities of Principal Investigators and relevant NIH staff.

Read CT Enrollment Policy

Funded Projects

2023
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Differentially Modulate Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cell Function, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythms: Implications for Treatment
Summary
Summary
Nov 28, 2023
2023
HEAL Initiative: Research to Foster an Opioid Use Disorder Treatment System Patients Can Count On
Summary
Summary
Nov 28, 2023
2023
Evaluation of a Peer Recovery Support Program Adapted to Target Retention in Clinic-Based Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Summary
Summary
Nov 28, 2023
2023
Towards Treatment for the Complex Patient: Investigations of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Summary
Summary
Nov 28, 2023
2023
Targeting Checkpoint Inhibitors for Pain Control
Summary
Summary
Nov 28, 2023

Open Funding Opportunities

2023
HEAL Initiative: Understanding Individual Differences in Human Pain Conditions (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Link
Aug 11, 2023
NOFO Link
2023
HEAL Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program: Embedded Entrepreneurs for Small Businesses in Pain Management (SB1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Link
Jan 03, 2023
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
NOFO Link
Dec 15, 2022
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
NOFO Link
Dec 15, 2022
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative Advanced Postdoctoral-to-Independent Career Transition Award in PAIN and SUD Research (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Link
Dec 15, 2022
NOFO Link

Closed Funding Opportunities

2022
HEAL Initiative: EPPIC-Net Pain Research - Application for Clinical Trial and Related Activities (OT2) [ROLLING SUBMISSION ACCEPTED: BY INVITATION ONLY]
NOFO Link
Jun 03, 2022
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative: EPPIC-Net Pain Research Asset Application – Dossier (OT1) [ROLLING SUBMISSION ACCEPTED: BY INVITATION ONLY]
NOFO Link
Jun 03, 2022
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative: Multilevel Interventions to Reduce Harm and Improve Quality of Life for Patients on Long Term Opioid Therapy (MIRHIQL): Resource Center (U24- Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Link
Jul 11, 2022
NOFO Link
2022
HEAL Initiative: Multilevel Interventions to Reduce Harm and Improve Quality of Life for Patients on Long Term Opioid Therapy (MIRHIQL) (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Link
Jul 11, 2022
NOFO Link
2020
HEAL Initiative: Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trials Optional)
NOFO Link
Jan 23, 2020
NOFO Link