HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) (R15 Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The HEAL Initiative, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to improve treatment for opioid misuse and addiction while enhancing pain management.

The Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) is designed to support rigorous basic and mechanistic pain research conducted by R15-eligible Principal Investigators (PIs) at undergraduate-focused institutions, health professional schools, or graduate schools. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary research partnerships and enhances the pain research environment for health professional trainees and students.

Grant Details
The PREP program supports:
(1) basic and mechanistic pain research from R15-eligible institutions;
(2) interdisciplinary research partnerships between PIs from R15-eligible institutions and U.S. domestic investigators; and
(3) engagement of health professional students or undergraduate/graduate students in pain research projects.

Applications must include a rigorous Research Strategy detailing the proposed research, a Team Management Plan outlining the collaboration with at least one investigator from a separate U.S. institution, and a Facilities & Other Resources document demonstrating student involvement in the proposed projects. The budget for sub-awards cannot exceed one-third of the total project budget.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible organizations include public or private higher education institutions that grant baccalaureate or advanced degrees in health professions or biomedical sciences. Institutions must not have received more than $6 million in NIH support per year in 4 of the last 7 years. The PD(s)/PI(s) must have primary appointments at R15-eligible institutions, and applications must include letters of support from collaborators and provosts verifying eligibility.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 3 years, with funding available for FY 2025, FY 2026, and FY 2027.

Grant Value
The NIH HEAL Initiative intends to commit an estimated total of $1.25 million to fund up to three awards per year, with applicants able to request up to $375,000 in direct costs for the entire project period.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed at R15-eligible institutions across the United States.