HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) (R15 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AT 25 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AT 25 001

The HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) (R15 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen pain research capacity at institutions that are eligible for the NIH R15 mechanism. The core aim is to help R15-eligible principal investigators run rigorous basic and/or mechanistic studies in pain, meaning projects that dig into biological, physiological, and other underlying processes that drive pain or pain-related conditions. While the announcement is framed around basic and mechanistic work, it is also labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which generally signals that applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component if it is appropriate to the scientific aims, but a clinical trial is not required.

A central feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on building partnerships and research networks. In addition to supporting the R15-eligible investigator and institution, the program is intended to promote integrated, interdisciplinary collaborations between the R15-eligible PI and additional investigators at other U.S. domestic institutions. In practice, this is meant to encourage team science approaches in pain research, bring in complementary expertise or resources, and increase the scientific rigor and reach of projects that might otherwise be limited by local capacity.

Another major goal is educational and workforce development within the applicant institution. The program is explicitly structured to enhance the pain research environment at the R15-eligible institution by actively involving trainees, including health professional trainees and undergraduate and/or graduate students, in the proposed research. This indicates that strong applications will typically do more than simply mention student involvement; they will integrate trainees into meaningful research roles, building hands-on research skills and strengthening the institution's longer-term ability to conduct competitive pain research.

Eligibility is focused on U.S.-based academic institutions that meet NIH R15 criteria, including both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, as well as certain other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights eligibility for several categories of institutions that serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research infrastructure and funding, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Applicants are directed to the full funding announcement for the detailed R15 eligibility rules and any additional requirements or definitions that NIH applies.

The funding opportunity is identified as RFA AT 25 001 and is part of NIH's HEAL Initiative, a broader federal effort aimed at improving prevention and treatment strategies for pain and reducing reliance on opioids. The opportunity uses the grant funding instrument and is categorized under Health, Income Security and Social Services, with CFDA numbers listed as 93.213, 93.273, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, and 93.866. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $375,000, which sets an upper limit on total requested support as defined in the full announcement (applicants should confirm whether that ceiling applies to direct costs, total costs, or a specific project period structure, since NIH ceilings are sometimes stated in a particular way).

On the geographic and organizational eligibility side, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S. applicant can include certain clearly justified elements of the work to be conducted outside the United States, subject to NIH rules and approvals. The original closing date listed for the opportunity is 2026-11-23, and the opportunity record was created on 2024-09-03.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) (R15 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.273, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-23. (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 $375,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for RFA AT 25 001

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