D-START: Data Science Track Award for Research Transition (D/START) (R03-Clinical Trial Optional) | PAS 24 242

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): D-START (D/START) - NIDA/NIH

What is the D-START: Data Science Track Award for Research Transition (D/START)?

D-START (D/START) is an NIH funding opportunity run by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to help more researchers enter or pivot into addiction-related data science. It is intended to expand the pool of investigators who can use modern, high-impact analytic methods to address substance use and addiction research questions.

Which NIH institute runs this opportunity?

This opportunity is run under the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the funding mechanism used for D-START?

D-START uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is designed for smaller, time-limited projects. These projects are expected to be focused and feasible, able to stand on their own as discrete studies, and also serve as a stepping-stone toward larger follow-on proposals.

What is the main purpose of using an R03 mechanism here?

The R03 format supports tightly scoped work that can produce strong preliminary results, test a novel method in an addiction context, or answer a specific addiction-relevant question. The broader intent is to accelerate durable research programs at the intersection of addiction science and innovative data science.

Who is D-START designed to support?

D-START is aimed at two main groups: (1) newly independent investigators with data science expertise who want to establish themselves in addiction research, and (2) established investigators who have not previously incorporated cutting-edge data science methods into their addiction research and want to do so for the first time.

What kinds of projects are a good fit for D-START?

Projects should emphasize emerging or advanced analytic strategies applied to addiction-related problems where conventional approaches are not enough. The opportunity is positioned for focused studies, such as testing a novel analytic method in an addiction setting, validating a new modeling approach, or generating preliminary findings that justify a subsequent larger grant.

Is D-START intended for large, multi-site studies?

No. The expectation is not a large, multi-site, infrastructure-heavy study. It is intended for a tightly scoped, time-limited project appropriate for an R03 award.

Does the project have to collect new data?

Not necessarily. Projects can often be built around existing datasets rather than launching new, expensive data collection. Applicants are encouraged to reuse and responsibly analyze available data resources when feasible.

What does the opportunity mean by "advanced data analytic strategies"?

Based on the program description, the focus is on applying emerging or advanced analytic strategies to addiction-related questions, especially where conventional analytic approaches are insufficient. The intent is to bring modern, high-impact data science methods into substance use and addiction research.

How does D-START relate to NIDA's strategic priorities?

D-START aligns with NIDA's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan emphasis on data science as a cross-cutting approach, with the goal of expanding national capacity to apply advanced analytics to addiction research.

Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the research aims, but they are not required to include one.

What types of research activities could be supported if clinical trials are optional?

The opportunity keeps the door open for a range of project types, including computational method development and validation, applied modeling and prediction work, and smaller intervention-related studies where a clinical trial component is justified.

What are FAIR principles, and are they relevant here?

The opportunity highlights adherence to FAIR principles when applicable. FAIR refers to making data and related research products Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

What ethical issues should applicants pay attention to?

The notice flags the need to address ethical considerations, especially for work involving human subjects or sensitive data. In addiction research, this can be particularly important due to privacy concerns, stigma, re-identification risk, and equitable use of data.

What is the expected outcome of a successful D-START award?

D-START is meant to speed up the creation of durable research programs combining innovative data science and addiction science. The initial R03 project is positioned as a precursor, with the expectation that strong results will support broader, more expansive research efforts later.

What is the funding opportunity number for D-START?

The funding opportunity number is PAS 24 242.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.279.

What is the listed closing date?

The original closing date provided is 2027-09-07.

What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $1,000,000, which indicates the maximum possible award amount under the announcement.

Does the award ceiling mean every R03 award will be $1,000,000?

No. The description notes that typical R03 budgets are often smaller, and applicants should align the project scope, timeline, and costs with what is reasonable for a small, focused award.

What type of funding is this categorized as?

It is listed as discretionary grant funding.

What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The activity category spans education and health.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and city governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The notice explicitly includes institution types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, and TCCUs, and it also includes faith-based and community-based organizations.

Are U.S. territories, federal agencies, and foreign entities eligible?

Yes. The notice includes eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities among eligible applicants.

What is the overall "best use" of D-START for an investigator?

D-START is best understood as an on-ramp into addiction-focused data science: a way to demonstrate that a novel analytic approach can meaningfully advance understanding of substance use, addiction trajectories, treatment, prevention, or related public health outcomes, with deliverables that can credibly support a next-stage, larger research program.

What makes a proposal especially well-aligned with the D-START goals?

Based on the description, the strongest fit is likely a proposal with a crisp addiction-relevant question, a clear rationale for why advanced data science is necessary, a feasible plan to use or curate data responsibly (including FAIR principles when applicable), attention to ethical considerations, and results positioned to support follow-on funding.