Effectiveness Research to Prevent Polysubstance-Impaired Driving

Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit investigator-initiated research aimed at rigorously evaluating strategies to prevent polysubstance-impaired driving. This refers to driving while impaired by two or more substances. This research is critical due to the increasing prevalence of polysubstance use and its associated public health risks, including crashes, nonfatal injuries, and deaths. The NOFO emphasizes the need for comprehensive evaluations of prevention strategies, particularly among disproportionately affected populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native communities and rural populations.

Grant Details
The research funded under this NOFO should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of various strategies aimed at preventing polysubstance-impaired driving. Key areas of interest include:

1) Evidence-based alcohol-impaired driving strategies that may also prevent polysubstance-impaired driving, such as screening and brief interventions or alternative transportation programs.

2) Strategies that prevent excessive alcohol use or substance use disorders that could also mitigate polysubstance-impaired driving, including taxation policies on alcohol and cannabis, social norming campaigns, and coalition-based initiatives like Drug Free Communities Programs.

The research must utilize rigorous evaluation designs, including experimental and quasi-experimental methods, to assess the impact of these strategies on overall population outcomes as well as those in disproportionately affected groups.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and other entities that can demonstrate capacity to conduct the proposed research. Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Period of Performance
The estimated total period of performance for this grant is three years, from September 30, 2025 to September 29, 2028.

Grant Value
CDC/NCIPC intends to commit up to $350,000 in FY 2025 for one application. The total estimated funding for the entire period of performance is $1,050,000.