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HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)

Federal funding opportunity RFA-NS-27-007 from National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services).

Apply on Grants.gov →Application closes February 20, 2029

Posted: June 16, 2026
Closes: February 20, 2029
Program funding: $11,000,000
Expected awards: 3
Cost sharing: No
Instrument: Cooperative Agreement
Assistance listing: 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
Category: Health
Archives: April 21, 2029

Program funding history

Awards made under Assistance Listing 93.395 (one of 14 on this opportunity) across FY2025–FY2027, from public federal spending records.

FY2025 obligated: $1.3B
FY2026 obligated: $1.3B
FY2027 (to date) obligated: $0
Awards in window: 3,624

Top recipients: The Univeristy of Texas M.d. Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-farber Cancer Institute, Inc., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Sloan-kettering Institute for Cancer Research

Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed October 2026 · Program page: awards, recipients and the opportunities under this listing →

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.

Who can apply

Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
City or township governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Independent school districts
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Special district governments
Small businesses
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Private institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
County governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
State governments

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.

How to apply

Applications go through the official government listing. Grants Radar links you straight to the source — applying is free.

View on Grants.gov

Agency contact: National Institutes of Health · [email protected] · 301-402-2541

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