Engaging Loved ones in Recovery Processes to Enhance Recovery Capital and Outcomes (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DA 26 024

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 26 024

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research applications for a grant opportunity titled "Engaging Loved ones in Recovery Processes to Enhance Recovery Capital and Outcomes (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-DA-26-024; CFDA: 93.279). The central aim is to close a major gap in addiction science: beyond adolescent-focused studies, there is limited evidence on how to reliably and effectively involve a persons loved ones or other key support people in ways that improve treatment navigation, engagement, and long-term recovery outcomes. This funding opportunity is designed to build that evidence base by supporting studies that strengthen the role of support persons in the recovery process.

The opportunity prioritizes pragmatic trials that can work in real-world settings and that are built for scale and sustainability. Rather than reinventing care from scratch, the focus is largely on practical adaptations to existing evidence-based practices (EBPs) and established service delivery frameworks, with the specific goal of better engaging loved ones and support persons. The underlying idea is that healthier, better-supported relationships and more informed support networks can increase "recovery capital" (the personal, social, and community resources that help someone initiate and sustain recovery), which in turn improves the chances of stable, lasting recovery.

NIH highlights several specific intervention directions that applicants can pursue. First, projects may test approaches that reduce stigma among support persons, including stigma related to addiction itself and to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Second, projects may develop or refine tools and supports that help family members or other supporters navigate treatment and care options, making it easier to locate appropriate services and remain engaged over time. Third, NIH is interested in models that formally incorporate support persons into services, meaning the supporter is not just present informally but is intentionally included in the care process in a structured way. Fourth, the opportunity encourages strategies that leverage support persons as lay interventionists, where trained non-professionals in the persons support network can deliver defined supportive components that complement clinical care. Fifth, NIH is looking for interventions that directly improve the well-being and coping skills of support persons themselves, recognizing that supporters often experience stress, burnout, and health impacts that can undermine their ability to help effectively.

This is a discretionary grant mechanism using an R61/R33 structure, and it is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies with or without a clinical trial component, as long as the work fits the program goals. The R61/R33 design typically supports a phased approach where an initial stage emphasizes developing, refining, or demonstrating feasibility of the approach, followed by a second stage focused on expanded testing or evaluation once pre-specified milestones are met.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types across government, academia, nonprofits, and the private sector. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories, 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); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities; and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of February 27, 2025, and a creation date of November 6, 2024. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at generating actionable, real-world evidence on how to better equip, involve, and support loved ones and other support persons so they can meaningfully improve care engagement, reduce stigma-related barriers, and contribute to stronger, more durable recovery outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging Loved ones in Recovery Processes to Enhance Recovery Capital and Outcomes (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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