Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Copy of Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA) Consortia Research Resource (U24) (Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose is to renew the NIAAA Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA). The INIA renewal will support two collaborative research consortia through an open competition to study brain-body homeostatic dysregulation that promotes and perpetuates excessive alcohol drinking and related Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) phenotypes. We encourage hypothesis-centered research on interactions between alcohol and other relevant causal influences. Focus on trajectories from initial alcohol exposure to the development of pathological drinking by some individuals will identify translatable markers and mechanisms to support future prevention and intervention efforts that reduce the chronic conditions associated with alcohol misuse including but not limited to AUD. To promote innovation, investigators will adapt advanced tools and technologies from the BRAIN Initiative, NIH Common Fund, and other sources to examine brain structure and function at multiple spatial and temporal scales, from microcircuitry to whole brain networks, and reveal peripheral influences on brain function underlying excessive alcohol drinking. To promote rigor and reproducibility, a focus on standardization of neurofunctional measures and replication will be instituted across both consortia. In the context of the initiative, integration occurs with: (1) projects across multiple participating sites addressing objectives around a central hypothesis, (2) knowledge of actions and interactions at multiple biological scales of analysis, (3) shared resources and standardized experimental protocols, and (4) cross-species translation. The initiative renewal will support two collaborating multisite consortia though cooperative agreement mechanisms, each comprised of administrative and resource cores, and U01s for individual research projects. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of integrative neuroscience are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

The following considerations will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Scientific and technical merit of the proposal; (2) program balance; and (3) relevance to NIAAA priorities and public health issues. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human of animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial...