The Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and Diversity (LEAD) Program provides training to early-career research scientists from racial/ethnic minoritized groups that are underrepresented in the substance use and substance use disorder research field. [download/share flyer, updated 9/15/2023] The program uses the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) as a platform for training early-career investigators. This 3-year training program is based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and visiting scholars spend three summers in a 4-week intensive program at UCSF. During the academic year, scholars work with their primary mentor to collaborate on substance use and substance use disorder treatment research conducted in the CTN, develop a professional research network, and conduct a pilot study that will serve as a preliminary study for subsequent NIH funding. The program provides travel and housing funds for scholars, as well as pilot study funding. The 2024 summer program begins on July 8th and ends August 2nd. Learn more about the eligibility and selection criteria and apply to the LEAD program here. The deadline is November 30, 2023.

The Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment (JSAT) is seeking abstracts for a special issue on addiction treatment implementation research, including: quantitative research, theory-driven or -generating qualitative studies, study protocols, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. One-page abstracts of the proposed paper are due by November 1, 2023, and must be submitted to Dr. Mark McGovern at mpmcg@stanford.edu. (Reminder that all CTN-related papers have to be approved by the Publications Subcommittee before being submitted for publication!  Please email Susan Sonne (sonnesc@musc.edu) and Jack Blaine (jblaine@nida.nih.gov) for more information.) Find more details about the JSAT submission here.

(From the US FDA press release) Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Today’s action paves the way for the life-saving medication to reverse an opioid overdose to be sold directly to consumers in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.  Read the complete press release. Posted March 29, 2023

January 25, 2023 NIDA International Program is accepting applications for international postdoctoral researchers for the INVEST Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship. This combines postdoctoral research training in the United States with professional development activities and grant-writing guidance to form a unique program for drug use and addiction scientists. Fellowship: The 12-month INVEST fellowship provides rigorous postdoctoral research training with a NIDA grantee at a U.S. institution, professional development activities that help establish personal relationships with NIDA grantees and NIDA officials, a stipend for living and personal expenses, and an allowance to cover the cost of health insurance and professional development activities. Eligibility: INVEST applicants are required to be international researchers with a doctoral degree and a minimum of 2 years of postdoctoral experience, to have citizenship or permanent residency in a country other than the United States, and to have a proficiency in written and spoken English. INVEST Mentors: INVEST mentors must be NIDA-funded researchers in the United States. Their NIDA-funded grants must be active throughout the proposed fellowship period. Reference: Steven W. Gust, Judy McCormally, & Nei-Hyun Park (2021). Increasing evidence-based substance use interventions globally: The National Institute on Drug Abuse postdoctoral fellowships, Substance Abuse, 42(4):397-406, https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2021.1975874. Contact NIDA: For questions about the INVEST Postdoctoral Fellowship, contact ip@nida.nih.gov.