D-START: Data Science Track Award for Research Transition (D/START) (R03-Clinical Trial Optional)
Small-scale NIH R03 projects that use emerging data science methods to answer addiction research questions or generate preliminary data, including clinical trial optional applications.
⚑ R03 small grant; award ceiling $100,000 · Clinical Trial Optional · Addiction-related data science focus (NIDA) · Uses existing datasets encouraged; FAIR principles emphasized
This is an NIH addiction-focused data science mechanism, which is outside this team’s core program of public risk perception, weather/climate communication, energy/nuclear risk, and related policy surveys. They could potentially contribute methodologically to survey or opinion analysis, but none of the dossier members have addiction research as an active line, so this is not a plausible PI-level fit.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-07
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topic: public_health (primary); social/behavioral work is substantial; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | funds applied research; deep-tech content |
Description
Data science is an important cross-cutting research approach in the 2022 - 2026 NIDA Strategic Plan and increasing the capacity of experts in addiction related data science is critical. The purpose of this Notice is to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of addiction-related data science, including newly independent data scientists or established investigators seeking to incorporate novel and cutting-edge data science methodologies into their research programs for the first time. Through this opportunity, investigators will propose to apply emerging data science methods to answer critical questions requiring advanced data analytic strategies. Projects should be small in scale and answer specific research questions or provide preliminary data for a larger scale project. Applicants are encouraged to use existing datasets, follow FAIR principles, and, when applicable, attend to ethical concerns in the conduct of research involving human subjects. Ultimately, the aim is to expedite the development of robust research programs focused on the convergence of innovative data science techniques and addiction research, with initial projects serving as precursors for subsequent, more expansive research projects.
Eligibility
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: National Institutes of Health <grantsinfo@nih.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Institutes of Health conventions SEE AN NIH EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Institutes of Health's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.