Drug Supply in Biological Specimens from Emergency Departments | EDS EDS 25 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for EDS EDS 25 001

The Drug Supply in Biological Specimens from Emergency Departments opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: EDS EDS 25 001) is a discretionary federal funding program from the Office of National Drug Control Policy that will support a single, targeted research effort aimed at strengthening how communities and the nation monitor and respond to the drug crisis. The project centers on using biological specimens collected through emergency departments as a way to better understand what substances are actually being consumed in real time, including emerging or rapidly changing drug mixtures that may not be captured well through other reporting channels.

At its core, the grant is meant to improve drug consumption surveillance at both local and national levels. By analyzing biological specimens associated with emergency department encounters, the funded work is expected to generate clearer, more current signals about drug exposure patterns and shifts in the drug supply. This kind of surveillance can help decision-makers move beyond assumptions based on self-report, law enforcement seizures, or delayed mortality data, and instead ground public health and safety actions in evidence of what is showing up in patients.

A major emphasis is identifying gaps in existing drug testing protocols. Many hospitals and clinical labs rely on standard toxicology panels that may miss newer synthetic opioids, novel benzodiazepines, adulterants, or other emerging substances, or may lack the specificity needed to distinguish closely related compounds. The funded project is intended to examine where current testing practices fall short and to inform improvements so that testing better reflects today’s drug market and supports more accurate situational awareness.

The opportunity also prioritizes facilitating information exchange across public health and public safety organizations. Drug trends often cross systems: hospitals see overdoses and adverse events, public health agencies track outbreaks and population risk, and public safety organizations may have intelligence on trafficking patterns or local supply changes. This cooperative agreement is designed to help connect those dots by improving how findings from emergency department specimen testing are shared, communicated, and translated into actionable information across partners, while supporting coordination rather than siloed responses.

Another intended outcome is better coordination of an informed response to the drug crisis. With stronger surveillance and clearer testing information, communities can more quickly adjust prevention messaging, harm reduction strategies, clinical guidance, and resource allocation. The project is positioned to help stakeholders respond to changing conditions, such as spikes tied to fentanyl analogs, counterfeit pills, xylazine or other adulterants, or regional shifts in polysubstance use, by providing more timely and credible evidence drawn from hospital-based data.

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project period, such as collaboration on project direction, methods, deliverables, or dissemination. The award ceiling is $400,000, and only one award is expected, suggesting the sponsor is seeking a focused effort that can serve as a model, proof of concept, or high-impact pilot with broader applicability.

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), as well as other eligible entities as allowed in the announcement. The activity category is Health, and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 95.007. The opportunity was created on 2025-08-14, and the original application closing date is 2025-09-05.

Overall, this grant is aimed at using hospital emergency department biological specimen testing as a practical and evidence-driven way to improve drug surveillance, modernize and close gaps in toxicology testing practices, strengthen cross-sector information sharing, and help communities coordinate faster, better-informed responses to a rapidly evolving drug environment.

• The Office of National Drug Control Policy in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Drug Supply in Biological Specimens from Emergency Departments" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 95.007.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-08-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for EDS EDS 25 001

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