Best Addiction and Substance Abuse Grants in Puerto Rico

Research institutions and other eligible organizations in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories can apply for National Institutes of Health SBIRT/P grants to test implementation strategies for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and misuse among adults experiencing health disparities. Funding supports prospective, collaborative studies with healthcare and community partners focused on addiction, substance use disorders, and prevention.

Puerto Rico addiction and substance use researchers can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to test SBIRT/P approaches for adult alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and misuse. Eligible projects are prospective clinical trials that implement screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment or prevention in collaboration with healthcare and community partners.

The Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women program aims to deliver essential services to women facing substance use disorders. By offering comprehensive residential treatment options, the program supports both recovery and the well-being of mothers and their children. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this initiative addresses the unique challenges of pregnant and postpartum women, ensuring they receive the care necessary for a successful recovery journey.

The NIJ FY 2026 opportunity invites research proposals focused on violent crime linked to gangs and organized criminal groups, both domestically and internationally. This initiative aims to evaluate strategies that assist law enforcement in combatting these threats, including rigorous assessments of intervention methods. Projects may utilize various evaluation designs to analyze the impact of crime reduction strategies, specifically targeting violent crimes such as murder and robbery, while encouraging collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

The National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) program invites applications to foster innovative research in treating mental disorders and substance use issues. This initiative promotes collaboration between academia and industry, supporting diverse, multidisciplinary projects aimed at developing rational therapies and neurostimulation techniques. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days before the proposal deadline to enhance project alignment with funding goals.

Research institutions and partners advancing drug, device, or neurostimulation approaches for mental, substance use, or alcohol use disorders in Puerto Rico can access funding via the National Institutes of Health. Focused on discovery through proof-of-concept, this opportunity supports translational addiction and alcoholism research, including novel ligands and circuit-engagement devices, with strong encouragement for academia–industry collaborations.

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program focuses on enhancing behavioral health care services for children and adolescents in rural areas. By providing essential funding, this initiative aims to tackle mental health and substance use disorders, ensuring that young individuals receive the support they need. The program, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, is crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, promoting healthier outcomes for future generations.

The NIH is offering access to biospecimens from the ABCD, HBCD, and PATH studies to promote research on health and disease across a lifetime. This initiative encourages projects that utilize these samples to deepen understanding of genetic and environmental influences, particularly substance exposure. Researchers can submit proposals to maximize the scientific utility of these resources, in alignment with the goals outlined under federal health regulations.

Research institutions and eligible organizations studying addiction and substance use disorders in Puerto Rico can apply for NIH funding to investigate the harmful effects of acute exposure to ultra-potent synthetic opioids and combinations like fentanyl and xylazine. The US Dept. of Health & Human Services offers up to US $1,500,000 for basic, non-clinical R01 research projects.

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Overdose Response aims to enhance healthcare access in rural areas by addressing urgent needs related to substance use disorder services. This initiative focuses on reducing overdose risks through targeted interventions and support, ensuring that rural communities receive necessary assistance. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, this program is crucial for mitigating the opioid crisis in underserved regions, improving health outcomes, and promoting overall community well-being.

The HEAL Initiative aims to combat the opioid crisis through action-oriented research that enhances the translation of addiction epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and recovery services into practice. It prioritizes scalable, evidence-based approaches targeting various levels, including individual and community. The initiative supports a range of methods for research deployment, emphasizing collaboration between researchers and decision-makers to improve outcomes for those affected by addiction and related chronic pain.

The Strengthening Services to Prevent the Infectious Disease Consequences of Drug Use initiative aims to enhance prevention services for infectious diseases among people who use drugs (PWUD). It encompasses two components: a biennial survey to assess service gaps and capacity, and increased support for testing and treatment services. The initiative seeks to improve data utilization in service provision, ultimately increasing testing for HBV, HCV, and HIV, and ensuring more PWUD engage in treatment and care.

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program, initiated by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, aims to bolster community coalitions dedicated to preventing youth substance use. Funded by the US HHS's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this program focuses on collaboration among various stakeholders, including government and non-profit entities, to effectively reduce substance abuse among youth and promote protective factors within communities.

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program aims to foster collaboration among community coalitions to combat youth substance use. Established by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, it encourages partnerships among various stakeholders, including governmental and non-profit agencies. The program focuses on reducing substance use among youth and promoting protective factors within communities. This funding opportunity is available for those who have completed the initial funding cycle or experienced funding interruptions, supporting their ongoing efforts to create a healthier environment for youth.

Researchers and research institutions in Puerto Rico conducting high-priority HIV and substance use studies can apply for up to US $1,500,000 in RM1 funding to support detailed research plans with preliminary data. Projects from basic to clinical and implementation science that address people who use drugs may be eligible through the National Institutes of Health.

Clinician scientists seeking intensive training in substance use and substance use disorder research can apply for mentored career development funding, including scholars based in Puerto Rico. Focused on addiction and drug use disorders, the US Dept. of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health offers K12 institutional awards up to US $750,000 for supervised research and career development.

The HEAL Initiative's Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) aims to support R15-eligible Principal Investigators in conducting vital pain research. This initiative fosters interdisciplinary partnerships and enhances the research environment for health trainees at eligible institutions. Key application deadlines include November 19, 2024, for standard submissions, with later dates for AIDS-related applications. Engaging students in these projects is a priority to advance pain research effectively.

The Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (IRINAH), led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, focuses on enhancing health outcomes in Native populations. It supports research to identify causes of health issues, develop and test effective interventions, and implement strategies that promote sustainability. Emphasizing community strengths, the initiative aims to rigorously evaluate solutions to reduce health disparities, ensuring interventions can be adapted and shared across diverse communities.

The HEAL Initiative aims to identify new druggable targets for pain within the understudied proteome. This funding opportunity invites applications for pilot projects that generate preliminary data and tools for exploring these targets. The initiative seeks to enhance research on understudied proteins related to pain management, providing essential funding for biochemical and biological work. This NOFO is part of the NIH's broader effort to develop novel medications that address various aspects of opioid addiction and its consequences.

The NIAAA Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA) aims to renew support for two research consortia focusing on the biological mechanisms of excessive alcohol consumption and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). By utilizing advanced technologies and fostering collaboration across multiple sites, this initiative seeks to standardize neurofunctional measures and enhance reproducibility in findings. Investigators are encouraged to prepare for future applications to this NOFO, which will utilize the U24 activity code.

The Syringe Service Program Grant, offered by The Comer Family Foundation, aims to enhance harm reduction initiatives by funding syringe access programs across the U.S. These programs provide sterile syringes, education, and support services to mitigate the risks associated with drug use, including HIV and hepatitis transmission. Priority is given to organizations in underserved areas and those led by marginalized communities. Grants are available for operational costs, program development, and staff training, with a focus on sustainability and local partnerships.

The First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act aims to equip first responders and communities with the necessary training to effectively administer opioid overdose reversal medications. This initiative, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, addresses the urgent need for immediate response to opioid overdoses, ultimately enhancing community health and safety. By empowering first responders, the program seeks to reduce fatalities related to opioid misuse and foster a supportive recovery environment.

The Avant Garde Award supports innovative research on HIV and substance use disorders, encouraging creative scientists to explore high-risk, high-reward approaches. While applications are not currently being accepted, this initiative by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) aims to stimulate collaborations and impactful research. Early-stage investigators are particularly encouraged to consider this opportunity as they develop their proposals for future funding. The program uses the DP1 activity code, fostering transformative advancements in biomedical and behavioral science.

The HEAL Initiative aims to address the complex interplay between chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD), affecting 40-60% of OUD patients. Through the IMPOWR initiative, this funding opportunity seeks to develop integrated care strategies that enhance treatment delivery at health systems levels. By identifying effective interventions and collaborative care models, the initiative strives to improve patient outcomes in managing both chronic pain and OUD, while emphasizing the roles of various healthcare professionals in this integrated approach.

The HEAL Initiative aims to address the significant overlap between chronic pain (CP) and opioid use disorder (OUD), with 40-75% of individuals affected by both. The IMPOWR project focuses on testing innovative interventions and implementation strategies to integrate care for CP and OUD across various health systems. The BEACON Center will enhance network coordination, build capacity, and develop resources to address barriers in service delivery, ultimately improving sustainability and scalability of evidence-based practices.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Mentoring for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use program aims to provide high-quality mentoring services to youth affected by substance use. This funding opportunity supports various mentoring formats, including one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring, to assist those currently using substances or at risk due to familial influences. The initiative seeks to enhance the well-being of these youth through supportive relationships and guidance.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative provides funding to support states and localities in combating violent crime and overdose deaths. This initiative aims to enhance prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies for children, youth, and families impacted by substance use disorders. Collaboration among law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations is essential to effectively address the needs of at-risk populations and those already involved in the child welfare and justice systems.