Limited Competition: Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) (U10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is issuing a limited competition notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for a cooperative agreement (U10) application from investigators currently supported under an existing study, entitled Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). The purpose of COGA is to identify genetic variants that affect the susceptibility to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). The goals of this limited competition are to continue to advance the understanding of the complexity of the genotypes and phenotypes that contribute to the heterogeneity of AUD, integrate the analysis of multiple data sources, and generate mechanistic hypothesis to understand the contributions of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors on the development of (or resilience from) AUD.

Grant Details
The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) is a longitudinal cohort study that began in 1989 and continues to this day. The objectives for COGA are to significantly advance knowledge about the complex influences of gene and environment on development and progression of alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The COGA cohorts now consist of more than 17,000 individuals from over 2,200 families with a wide age range (7-90). The COGA investigators with complementary expertise in molecular and cellular biology, neurophysiology, genetics and genomics, and psychiatry have collaborated in the discovery of genes in which nucleotide sequence variations and epigenetic modifications affect the risk for AUD. Linkage and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified genes for metabolism (e.g., ADH1B), glutamate signaling (e.g., KCNJ6), inhibitory signaling (e.g., GABRA2), and the stress response (e.g., CRHR1).

Subsequent large scale GWAS meta-analyses of AUD have revealed many loci defined by both common and rare genomic variants reflecting the complex genetic architecture. The purpose of this announcement is to advance integrative research efforts of COGA, by focusing and capitalizing on the progress made during the previous funding period, to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the trajectories of AUD and their sequelae across the lifespan.

Eligibility Requirements
Organizations holding an active NIAAA-funded U10 are eligible to apply. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components are not allowed.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of support is 5 years.

Grant Value
NIAAA intends to commit $6.5 M in FY 2025 to fund one award.