HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Maximum funding amount: $100,000
Project duration: 1 year
To solicit applications for pilot projects to identify new druggable targets for pain.
Part of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) initiative.
Researchers in pain management and drug discovery.
Patients suffering from pain and opioid addiction.
Eligible organization types include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local, state, and federal governments.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply.
Applications must be from U.S.-based organizations.
Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Projects must focus on understudied proteins related to pain.
Applications proposing clinical trials are not allowed.
Budget limited to $100,000 in direct costs for one year.
No cost-sharing is required.
Application due date: July 16, 2026.
Projects must be completed within one year.
Applicants may submit more than one application as long as each is scientifically distinct.
Applications must follow the instructions in the Research Instructions of the Application Guide.
Preliminary data are not required.
Applications will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, rigor, and feasibility.
Applications will undergo peer review for scientific and technical merit.
Projects that address critical barriers to understanding the role of understudied proteins in pain will be prioritized.
Projects must focus on specific proteins listed in the funding opportunity.
Applications not responsive to the NOFO will be returned without review.
Collaboration with NIH HEAL Initiative award recipients is encouraged.
Strong emphasis on preliminary data and innovative approaches may favor well-prepared applicants.
Clear focus on eligible proteins and their relevance to pain management.
Submitting applications that do not comply with the specific guidelines outlined in the NOFO.
Engage with NIH program staff to discuss research interests prior to submission.
Highlight innovative methodologies and potential impacts on pain management.