NIH Roadmap to Medical Research Funding

NIDA wants drug abuse researchers to help lead a journey of scientific inquiry that promises to transform biomedical research in the United States. The Institute is encouraging grantees to apply for funds through Requests for applications (RFAs) under NIH Director Elias Zerhouni's "Roadmap for Medical Research." The Roadmap charts a course to optimize the Nation's medical research resources and bring all 21st-century scientific tools and knowledge to bear on conquering disease.

"NIDA researchers, who are already involved in many of these areas, can significantly contribute to advancing the goals of this initiative," says NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. However, timing is critical in pursuing funding opportunities under the Roadmap's initial round of initiatives; most applications are due in February and March. If the letter of intent date has passed, please call NIDA program staff to discuss submitting an application. For more information on the following RFAs, visit http://nihroadmap.nih.gov. For NIDA specific information, visit http://www.drugabuse.gov/about/roadmap/index.html

New Pathways to Discovery

This research area focuses on the building blocks of the body's cells and tissues and how complex biological systems operate; structural biology; molecular libraries; imaging technologies; bioinformatics and computational biology; and nanotechnology.

• Metabolomics Technology Development (RFA-RM-04-002). Letter of intent: February 24, 2004; application: March 24, 2004. Contacts: Dr. Rao Rapaka (301-435-1304) or Dr. Christine Colvis (301-435-1323).
• National Technology Centers for Networks and Pathways (RFA-RM-04-005). Letter of intent: February 15, 2004; application: March 16, 2004. Contacts: Dr. Jonathan Pollock (301-435-1309) or Dr. Christine Colvis (301-435-1323).
• Centers for Innovation in Membrane Protein Production (RFA-RM-04-009). Letter of intent: February 5, 2004; application: March 11, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• National Centers for Biomedical Computing (RFA-RM-04-003). Letter of intent: December 29, 2003; application: January 23, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.

Research Teams of the Future

Interdisciplinary research, high-risk research, and public-private partnerships are the focus of initiatives in this area.

• Supplements for Methodological Innovations in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (RFA-RM-04-013). Letter of intent: January 13, 2004; application: February 13, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Interdisciplinary Health Research Training: Behavior, Environment, and Biology (RFA-RM-04-010). Letter of intent: February 11, 2004; application: March 11, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Short Programs for Interdisciplinary Research Training (RFA-RM-04-008). Letter of intent: January 14, 2004; application: February 11, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Curriculum Development Award in Interdisciplinary Research (RFA-RM-04-007). Letter of intent: January 27, 2004; application: February 24, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Exploratory Centers (P20) for Interdisciplinary Research (RFA-RM-04-004). Letter of intent: January 30, 2004; application: February 24, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.

Re-engineering the Clinical Research Enterprise

RFAs that fall under this research area target clinical research workforce training, interdisciplinary integration of clinical research networks, and translational research centers and services.

• Re-engineering the Clinical Research Enterprise: Feasibility of Integrating and Expanding Clinical Research Networks (BAA-RM-04-23). Letter of intent: January 30, 2004; application: March 5, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Dynamic Assessment of Patient-Reported Chronic Disease Outcomes (RFA-RM-04-011). Letter of intent: February 22, 2004; application: March 22, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.
• Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Programs (RFA-RM-04-006). Letter of intent: February 23, 2004; application: March 23, 2004. Contact: NIDA Program Officer.

Volume 18, Number 6 (February 2004)