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

The Research Need

NIH held Tribal Consultations in 2018 and 2022 to seek input on research needs for addressing opioid use and pain in Native communities. Many themes emerged, including the importance of Indigenous Knowledge and local expertise, and the need to invest in research and data led by Tribes and Native American Serving Organizations (T/NASOs). In direct response to priorities identified in Tribal Consultations, the N CREW Program is a highly collaborative partnership between NIH, T/NASOs, and Ally Organizations established to address the opioid/drug public health emergency.

About the Program

The N CREW Program supports T/NASOs to conduct locally prioritized research to address overdose, substance use, and pain, including related factors such as mental health and wellness. Research led by Native communities is essential for enhancing culturally grounded, strengths-based, effective, and sustainable intervention strategies.

The N CREW Program has three main goals:

1. Support T/NASOs to lead community prioritized research projects, including research elevating and integrating Indigenous Knowledge and culture.
2. Enhance capacity within T/NASOs to conduct locally prioritized research by developing and providing novel, accessible, culturally grounded technical assistance and training, resources, and tools.
3. Improve access to, and the quality of, data on substance use, pain, and related health and wellbeing factors to maximize their potential for use in local decision-making.

Program Details

The N CREW Program is anticipated as a seven-year program (Fiscal Year 24 - FY30) with two Phases. It is planned as a multi-component Program using a variety of funding mechanisms, which may include Other Transactions, Cooperative Agreements, Contracts and/or Grants over the course of the Program. The overall planned budget for all N CREW Program components is approximately $268 million.

In Phase I (FY24 - FY26) NIH is supporting T/NASOs to plan, develop, pilot, and/or implement research and/or data improvement projects. Additionally, NIH is supporting a Native Research Resource Network (NRRN) to provide comprehensive real-time training and resources to assist the T/NASOs, as well as overall coordination of cross-site activities. The NRRN members, T/NASOs, and NIH will collaborate to meet Program objectives throughout Phase I. The planned budget for Phase I activities is approximately $25 million.

Phase II is anticipated to begin in FY26 and continue for five years through FY30, with a planned budget of approximately $240 million. This Phase will build on what is learned and achieved in Phase I, likely supporting the implementation of research and/or data improvement projects. NIH anticipates Phase II funding will be an open competition, meaning that any organization that meets the eligibility criteria would be able to apply; Phase II funding opportunities are not restricted to Phase I award recipients. NIH will release more information about Phase II at a later date.

Across Phases I and II, ancillary activities that support achieving overall Program goals may be identified as the Program develops. Read the Questions and Answers to learn more about the Program.

Funding Information

Phase I awards have been made; however, NIH is interested in learning about the different ways communities are addressing overdose, substance use, pain, and related factors (e.g., mental health, wellness). Please email ncrew@nih.gov if you would like to share what your community is doing or if you have any questions about N CREW or Phase II of the Program.

Announcements

• Read the NIH’s press release on the N CREW Program launch.

Issuing NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Contact: Dr. Kathy Etz, NIDA

To receive N CREW resources and information on future funding opportunities, please email ncrew@nih.gov to be added to the Listserv.