The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs are partnering for a $7-million research project on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in the military.

“There is a growing awareness that returning military personnel — whatever their overseas role — need help confronting a variety of war-related problems including traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol and other drugs,” according to a press release from the National Institutes on Health. “Many of these problems are interconnected, and contribute to individual health and family relationship crises, yet there has been little research on how to prevent and treat the unique characteristics of wartime related substance abuse issues. The funding opportunity announcement will focus on the causes, screening and identification, prevention and treatment of substance use and abuse — including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs — and associated problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“Working in collaboration with key federal agencies, we hope to learn more about how to address the array of social and emotional problems caused by the trauma of war that bring so much pain to soldiers and their families,” said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow.  “Even though they are no longer in combat, many of these brave men and women are now fighting substance addiction — another dangerous enemy.”

Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded under NIH's R01  research-funding process, and awards of up to $200,000 will be made under the R21 process.

Nonprofits, for-profit entities, schools, government agencies, and others may apply. Application deadline is Dec. 22.

For more details, see the full R01 and R21 grant applications online.