Addressing Challenges in Detecting New Drugs: Instrumentation for Alternative Analytical Methods (R43/R44 - Clinical Trials Optional)

Background
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is issuing a funding opportunity titled 'Addressing Challenges in Detecting New Drugs: Instrumentation for Alternative Analytical Methods (R43/R44 - Clinical Trials Optional)'. This initiative aims to encourage small business concerns (SBCs) to develop innovative technologies that can effectively detect and quantify emerging drugs, such as xylazine and nitazenes, which are increasingly prevalent in the drug supply.

The goal is to create target-agnostic detection devices that are cost-effective, user-friendly, and capable of providing timely results at the point of need.

Grant Details
The funding opportunity seeks applications focused on the research and development of detection devices that can identify both known and unknown drugs in mixtures. Key tasks include:
- Developing devices with sensitivity and selectivity comparable to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) but at significantly lower costs.
- Ensuring devices require minimal training and consumables for operation.
- Achieving sufficient sensitivity to identify and quantify drugs in various matrices, including urine, blood, saliva, and sweat.
- Utilizing alternative analytical methods such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering, ion mobility spectrometry, or electrochemical detection.
- Providing a straightforward method for adding new drug detection capabilities to the device library.
- Completing analysis within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., less than 1 hour).

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must be United States small business concerns (SBCs) organized for profit with a place of business located in the U.S. They must be more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. Additionally, applicants should have no more than 500 employees.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for Phase I awards may not exceed 1 year, while Phase II awards may last up to 2 years.

Grant Value
NIDA intends to commit approximately $3 million to fund four to seven awards under this opportunity. Budgets up to $306,872 total costs for Phase I and up to $2,045,816 total costs for Phase II may be requested.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed within the United States.