NIH STTR RFA-DA-25-047: Seeking Products to Address Social Needs Impacting Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
Executive Summary:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is awarding up to $2.0 million per project for U.S. small businesses to develop technologies addressing social needs that impact substance use disorders (SUD), excluding alcohol use disorder. Applications are due March 13, 2026. Companies should start preparing at least 16 weeks prior to ensure registration and submission compliance. Partnership with a research organization is required.
How much funding would I receive?
$314,363 for Phase I projects (up to 6 months).
What could I use the funding for?
A variety of products addressing the individual-level factors of health-related social needs (HRSN) should be considered to confront SUD. Additionally, technology, such as telemedicine and mobile health applications, provide an opportunity to address HRSN with the ability to provide tested, accessible, and ongoing solutions for individuals who are the most at-risk for these risk factors that impact SUD. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administratio (SAMHSA), technology has several advantages in addressing SUD including decreased waiting periods, decreased stigma impact and increased privacy. The advantages of technology are also exhibited in its capability to make treatment services more accessible and convenient, which can aid to improve SUD outcomes and reduce disparities.
Regarding this NOFO, a product is any source of value for the end-users and customers. A product can be a physical/tangible device as well as digital services, software as a service, or non-physical/non-tangible products (including but not limited to digital applications, digital platforms, or service models). These and other comparable examples could be considered eligible products. Products can be the result of original scientific research, recycled existing technology for SUD, extension of an observation into SUD area, development of a new business model or distribution/delivery channel that reveals currently unseen value, or the delivery of a product or service to disregarded consumers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) supports the development of evidence-based SUD care and treatment technology from multiple funding opportunities published elsewhere. The eligible small businesses can submit applications focusing on products that reduce costs, time, and/or increase access in addressing HRSN including, but not limited to, housing instability, non-medical transportation, food insecurity, utility needs, and personal safety. The products should provide the best feasible and accessible opportunities for the intended end-users to measurably improve their HRSN and SUD. Products of interest that address, but are not limited to, the following HRSN include:
Access to housing services.
Soft skills development and/or job training (e.g., in entrepreneurship, literacy, financial literacy, IT skills) for employment.
Stigma and nurture compassion.
Family healthy behaviors, social skills, community opportunities, and productive social involvement.
Social stability (community, tradition, faith, family), self-regulation, and resilience.
Well-being (mental, physical, spiritual), communal belonging, and positive productivity.
Social support networks for recovery, engagement with care, and/or access to needed services.
Successful community reintegration for formerly incarcerated people.
Social needs service engagement and coordination among justice-involved organizations.
Employer education to hire, retain, and facilitate treatment for employees seeking help for SUD.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the formal funding award, awardees gain several strategic advantages:
Government Validation and Credibility:
Being selected for an NIH-backed STTR grant signals technical excellence and alignment with national health and biomedical priorities. This validation builds investor and partner confidence.Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition:
Awardees are featured in NIH and HHS announcements, helping attract partnerships, media attention, and future contracting opportunities.Access to the Federal Innovation Ecosystem:
Recipients join a national network of researchers and agencies advancing life science innovation, often opening doors to collaborations with NIH laboratories and federal health programs.Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential:
By maturing technology through nondilutive funding, companies strengthen valuation, de-risk commercialization, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on private investment.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Next Application Deadlines: March 13, 2026
Scientific Review: July following submission
Council Review: October
Earliest Start Date: December of the same year
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with statutory set-asides requiring NIH, CDC, and FDA to devote portions of their extramural R&D budgets (3.2% for SBIR, 0.45% for STTR) to support small business innovation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that:
Are organized for profit with a U.S. place of business.
Have ≤ 500 employees including affiliates.
Are > 50% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualifying U.S. entities, or combinations thereof.
Must partner with a nonprofit research institution.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Projects that demonstrate:
Measurable improvement in one or more social determinants of health affecting SUD outcomes.
Use technology (digital, AI-enabled, or connected health tools) to reduce costs, stigma, or access barriers.
Strong scientific rationale and feasibility,
High commercialization potential, supported by a realistic market and regulatory strategy, and
Align with NIDA’s goals to integrate behavioral health and social needs solutions into recovery ecosystems
Competitive applicants often have an early prototype, preliminary data, and a defined path to market adoption.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Companies must partner with a research institution who performs a minimum of 30% and maximum of 60% of the work.
Companies must complete multiple federal registrations (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SBA Company Registry) before applying.
Foreign entities are not eligible.
Disclosure of foreign affiliations and compliance with national security screening are mandatory. Currently we do not recommend any sort of foreign affiliation.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission will likely take 120–200 hours in total.
How can BW&CO help?
Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:
Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development
Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations
Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Our full service support is available for
Phase I: $9,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.
Phase II: $13,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.
Fast-Track: $13,000 Flat Fee + a 5% Success Fee.
Fractional support is $300 per hour.
For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.