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Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program: Addressing Overdose, Substance Use, Mental Health, and Pain

Link
View program website
Sponsors
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health
Deadlines
Jul 31, 2026
Contact

Scientific/research contact:
Kathy Etz
NCREW@nih.gov

Financial and grants management contact:
Jennifer Cho
NCREW@nih.gov

Purpose

The N CREW Program will provide funding for community-led research to enhance culturally grounded, strengths-based, effective, and sustainable interventions addressing overdose, substance use, mental health, and pain in Native communities.

Program goals include:

  • Enhance capacity to conduct locally prioritized NIH HEAL Initiative related research
  • Support Tribes and Native Serving Organizations (T/NSOs) to lead community prioritized research projects, including those elevating and integrating Indigenous knowledge and culture
  • Improve access to and the quality of data on substance use, pain, and related health and well-being factors to maximize their potential for use in research and to improve health outcomes
  • Foster a collaborative network that advances Native community-led research and use of data by supporting the development of relationships and the provision and sharing of knowledge, tools, and resources

There are 2 N-Crew opportunities available:

  • OTA-26-001: for T/NSOs to lead community-prioritized research projects
  • OTA-26-002: for T/NSOs and ally organizations to serve as Native Research Resource Partner (NRRP) sites that support the N CREW Program
Eligibility

Tribes and Native Serving Organizations (T/NSOs) are eligible to apply, including those without previous NIH funding. Eligible applicants are expected to represent a range of missions and entity types, but all must document strong Native cultural expertise and prior experience of successful collaboration with Native communities.

OTA-26-001 eligibility details

OTA-26-002 eligibility details

Geographic coverage
Nationwide
Amount of funding

OTA-26-001 awards:

  • Award ceiling: $750,000
  • Award floor: $250,000
  • Estimated number of awards: 15-20
  • Project period: Up to 5 years

OTA-26-002 awards:

  • Award ceiling: $2,500,000
  • Award floor: $400,000
  • Estimated number of awards: 5
  • Project period: Up to 5 years
Application process

Additional program details and guidance are available on the program website.

OTA-26-001 funding announcement

OTA-26-002 funding announcement

Tagged as
Culture · Illicit drug use · Mental health · Mortality · Networking and collaboration · Prescription drug misuse · Research methods and resources · Substance use and misuse · Tribal communities

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Organizations (2)



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