NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM SPECIAL EMPHASISAREAS NIH GUIDE, Volume 25, Number 33, October 4, 1996 P.T. 34 Keywords: Alcohol/Alcoholism Genetics Neuroscience Behavioral/Social Studies/Service Treatment, Medical+ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism PURPOSE This notice is to inform potential applicants of National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) special emphasis areas that are of high program relevance for development during the next two fiscal years. Formal identification of areas of high program relevance enables the NIAAA to foster emerging areas of science and to encourage submission of applications on these topics. Given fiscal constraints, establishing and publishing priorities to be used as part of a select pay process helps the NIAAA meet program needs and take advantage of scientific opportunities, while still ensuring that high quality applications are funded. These special emphasis areas will be revised, as necessary, based on future developments in the scientific and legislative areas. The NIAAA wants to emphasize that it will continue to fund those projects that are deemed to be scientifically excellent and innovative within the full scope of its mission as described in "NIAAA Extramural Program Descriptions" dated October 1995. This publication is available on the NIAAA Home Page and from the Office of Scientific Affairs as listed under INQUIRIES. It is anticipated that the use of special emphasis areas will reduce the need to publish Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements (PAs). The order in which they are listed does not reflect any added priority for a specific area. Full descriptions of the Special Emphasis Areas are available on the NIAAA Home Page. DIVISION OF BASIC RESEARCH o Genetic Linkage and Association Studies on Alcoholism o Alcohol in Cell Development, Differentiation and Death o Alcohol in Cell Signaling and Behavior o Alcohol and Neural Circuits and Behavior o Use of Invertebrates in Alcohol Research DIVISION OF CLINICAL AND PREVENTION RESEARCH o Adolescent Alcoholism Treatment o Prevention of Alcohol Abuse by College Students o The Effectiveness of Court-Ordered Interventions in Reducing DUI Recidivism o Research on Relationships Between Alcohol and Violence o Managed Care and Alcohol Treatment Services o Preventing Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) o Behavioral Research o Medications Development o Alcohol Use and Abuse in Rural America GENERAL EXTRAMURAL PROGRAM PRIORITIES - In addition to the above extramural division specific special areas of emphasis, the NIAAA encourages research in all program areas on: o Alcohol Abuse and Women o Alcohol Abuse and Minority Populations o Alcohol Abuse and AIDS o Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Benefits and Risks STATUTORY LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES - Applicants should also be aware that the NIAAA's statutory authorizing language [at PHS Act Section 464H(b)(3)] authorizes the Director of the NIAAA to make grants giving special consideration to projects relating to: 1. the relationship between alcohol abuse and domestic violence; 2. the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy; 3. the impact of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the family, the workplace, and systems for the delivery of health services; 4. the relationship between the abuse of alcohol and other drugs; 5. the effect on the incidence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism of social pressures, legal requirements respecting the use of alcoholic beverages, the cost of such beverages, and the economic status and education of users of such beverages; 6. the interrelationship between alcohol use and other health problems; 7. the comparison of the cost and effectiveness of various treatment methods for alcoholism and alcohol abuse and the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs for alcoholism and alcohol abuse; and 8. alcoholism and alcohol abuse among women. Another legislative priority is made apparent in Section 464(d)(2) of the PHS Act, which requires the NIAAA to obligate not less than 15 percent of its fiscal year appropriations for health services research relating to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. INQUIRIES Further information on NIAAA research priorities can be obtained from program announcements on the NIAAA Home Page, http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/grants/grants.html, by contact with the appropriate extramural division, and from: Director, Office of Scientific Affairs 6000 Executive Boulevard, Suite 409, MSC 7003 Bethesda, MD 20892-7003 Telephone: (301) 443-4375 FAX: (301) 443-6077 Email: gosamail@willco.niaaa.nih.gov . Return to Document Index Return to 1996 Index Return to NIH Guide Main Index