NIH Highlighted Topic: Increasing Engagement in Treatment for Behavioral Health

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging research that increases engagement in treatment for people with behavioral health diagnoses that have large treatment gaps, especially psychiatric and substance use disorders, and that keeps people in care once treatment is clinically indicated.

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Most people with these disorders never receive specific treatment. Alcohol use disorder alone affects about 10% of U.S. adults, and fewer than 20% of them receive specific treatment. Digital health and AI companies working on this gap can apply through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through July 8, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): Phase I $700,000, Phase II SBA guideline

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

Focus areas by NIH Institute

NIAAA: alcohol use disorder

• Strategies to improve engagement in professionally led, evidence-based AUD treatment
• Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in mental health settings
• Efficacy and effectiveness of digital interventions, alone or combined with other care
• Provider education and real-world dissemination of effective treatment

NIDA: substance use and co-occurring conditions

• Integrated care models for mental health, substance use, and comorbidities
• Engaging youth and emerging adults with trauma or violence exposure, including those in child welfare or juvenile justice
• AI, telehealth, and mobile health, especially for rural and underserved populations, plus training and supervision models for telehealth clinicians

NCCIH: complementary and integrative health

• Testing complementary approaches in primary care for mild or moderate psychiatric symptoms, with referral or self-care pathways
• Testing whether these approaches increase engagement in standard behavioral health treatment

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: the topic lists scientific contacts at NIAAA, NIDA, and NCCIH, and OBSSR also participates but does not award grants
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies building digital therapeutics, telehealth or mobile platforms, AI-driven engagement and retention tools, measurement-based care software, or provider-facing screening and referral products. NIH will want evidence that your product moves people into care and keeps them there, not only that it delivers content.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH behavioral health treatment engagement Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for behavioral health engagement research?

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 depend on the Institute. NCCIH allows up to $700,000 for Phase I, and NIAAA and NIDA allow up to $400,000. For Phase II, NIDA allows up to $3,000,000, NIAAA up to $2,500,000, and NCCIH follows the SBA guideline.

Which NIH Institutes participate in the behavioral health engagement topic?

NIAAA, NIDA, and NCCIH are the awarding participants. OBSSR also participates but does not award grants.

Does NIH fund digital tools for treatment engagement under this topic?

Yes. NIAAA lists digital interventions, and NIDA lists AI, telehealth, and mobile health approaches, especially for rural and underserved populations.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.