What is the NIH HEAL Initiative?

The Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, is an NIH-wide effort to speed scientific solutions to stem the national opioid public health crisis. Almost every NIH Institute and Center is accelerating research to address this public health emergency from all angles.

The initiative funds over 1,000 projects nationwide. Researchers are taking a variety of approaches to address the opioid epidemic through:

Understanding, managing, and treating painImproving prevention and treatment for opioid misuse and addictionAdvancing Scientific Knowledge About the Opioid Crisis

The public health crisis of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose in America continues to evolve rapidly and overlaps with other significant public health challenges, including untreated chronic pain and mental illness.

The NIH HEAL Initiative is using an all-hands-on-deck approach to address these challenges. The initiative brings together scientists, community members, the private sector, and multiple levels of government – all sharply focused on ending the opioid crisis.

The public health crisis of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose in America continues to evolve rapidly.

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and increasing co-use of stimulants and opioids are currently driving the opioid and overdose crisis. Pain contributed to the opioid crisis and people living with pain need effective, non-addictive pain treatments.

Meet the committees, scientists, and staff who are working to end opioid use disorder long-term.

Video: Person-Centered Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

Researchers look for best ways to manage chronic low back pain based on people’s unique experience of pain

Find information for funding, create and submit a data management plan, research programs details and contacts, and research findings.

Learn about HEAL research programs, funding opportunities, and read Research Spotlights.

All HEAL researchers must comply with HEAL’s data sharing policy and create and submit a data management plan. All HEAL data must be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR –  see HEAL Data Sharing Policy).

Search for HEAL open funding opportunities and research concepts, review past funding opportunities, and search currently funded projects.

NIH invites the research community and people with lived experience with pain to provide input on the research priorities in a series of public workshops. Please join us and make your voice heard.

Read research findings that are making a difference to people’s lives across America through strong partnerships with federal agencies, the private sector, research institutions, and communities.

Helping to End Addiction Long-term® and NIH HEAL Initiative® are registered service marks of the Department of Health and Human Services.