Grant✓ Small businesses may apply
HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
National Institutes of Health
Program funding
$11,000,000
- Opportunity #
- RFA-NS-27-007
- Agency
- National Institutes of Health
- ALN (CFDA)
- 93.395, 93.866, 93.839, 93.867, 93.838, 93.846, 93.840, 93.213, 93.273, 93.853, 93.837, 93.233, 93.279, 93.865
- Status
- posted
- Posted
- Jun 16, 2026
- Closes
- Feb 20, 2029
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
- Health
- Cost sharing required
- No
Who can apply
- •County governments
- •Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- •Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- •For profit organizations other than small businesses
- •Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- •State governments
- •Independent school districts
- •Private institutions of higher education
- •Special district governments
- •Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- •City or township governments
- •Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- •Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- •Small businesses
- •Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
Synopsis
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support the preclinical optimization and development of safe, effective, and non-addictive small molecule and biologic therapeutics for the treatment of pain. The goal of the program is to accelerate the advancement of promising early-stage therapeutic candidates and facilitate their readiness for Phase II clinical trials. Applicants must have a promising small molecule or biologic lead candidate for optimization, a strong biological rationale for the proposed approach, and established assays to guide the optimization process. The scope of the program includes lead optimization, early-stage development activities, IND-enabling studies, development of pharmacodynamic and/or target engagement biomarkers, preparation and submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and Phase I clinical testing. This is a milestone-driven, phased cooperative agreement program that involves active participation by NIH program staff in project planning and ongoing monitoring of research progress.
Contact
National Institutes of Health · PTDP@ninds.nih.gov