Project Examples and Recommended Topic Areas

For the Mentor-Facilitated Training Award, NIDA and ACMT encourage clinically relevant applications with a focus on treatment of SUDs and the dissemination of research findings of evidence-based practices into clinical settings. To this end, awardees will develop and execute a plan designed to increase their own clinical knowledge of the management of SUD, especially OUD. They will then design and complete a project aimed at the dissemination of existing SUD treatment research findings.

Examples of appropriate activities and projects include but are not limited to:

• Identify curriculum training gaps in SUD and choose research findings and/or products developed by NIDA or other professional associations that could bridge such gaps. Disseminate the identified information through a series of lectures, seminars, etc.
• Develop materials that could be used for quality improvement or integration of an evidence-based approach or process in the management of SUD in a medical setting and conduct activities for quality improvement.
• Analyze de-identified data from completed clinical trials such as those found on the NIDA Data Share website to inform dissemination efforts; characterize the availability of data on substance use or practice patterns; identify gaps in the provision of evidence-based practices; and identify needs for dissemination.
• Other activities consistent with the goals of the Dissemination Initiative to accelerate the dissemination of research findings into clinical practice.

Examples of recent dissemination projects created by awardees are available on request. Please email awards@acmt.net for examples. 

Program Activities and Requirements

MFT Individual Meeting: The awardee and mentor(s) will participate in a virtual meeting to discuss the expectations of the program.

Check-In Meetings: Awardees are required to participate in three virtual group check-in meetings to discuss the progress of their dissemination projects.

Progress and Final Reports: The awardee and mentor(s) are required to submit a 6-month narrative progress report and a final narrative report at the end of the performance period. Failure to provide the report may negatively impact your institution’s ability to apply for future awards. These reports will be submitted to ACMT for subsequent submission to NIDA. If the awardee’s project is not completed at the end of the designated performance period,and appropriate approvals to continue have been granted, the final report must still be submitted as an outline of work done and projections for work/expenditures remaining.

ACMT Annual Scientific Meeting: Attendance is expected at the ACMT annual scientific meeting, where the awardees will present a poster abstract of their work following the completion of the award.

NIDA CTN Steering Committee Meeting: The awardee is expected to attend the NIDA CTN Steering Committee Meeting. Mentors are also encouraged to attend. The Coordination Office will ensure that funds from each stipend are used to support air travel and hotel accommodation. Any remaining funds will be returned to the applicant to assist with project dissemination.

Publications: Publications will acknowledge the support of NIDA and ACMT. All work supported by the NIDA CTN Mentor-Facilitated Training Award should be made available to the public and scientific community through approved scientific channels such as national meetings and peer-reviewed publications. Two reprints of each publication should be forwarded to ACMT for subsequent submission to NIDA.

• Project Information Section includes:
  • A Candidate Statement including expressed interest in the substance use field, of no more than two pages (single spaced, no less than 12 pt. font).
  • A Proposal of no more than five pages (single spaced, no less than 12 pt. font) including:
    • Project title and description that includes the following sections: specific aims/objectives, background, project rationale, project significance, project method, and an implementation and dissemination plan.
    • A detailed project timeline with tentative dates of all activities for the proposed project. Include mention of coursework or technical training.
    • Biosketches for awardee and mentor
    • Other support (consultants, other associates, if applicable)
    • A budget and budget justification containing sufficient detail so that each item can be judged separately. Computer related items (e.g., personal computers, printers, modems, etc.) are unlikely to receive budget approval. Salary support will not be provided for the mentor. No indirect costs for the institution will be provided. Typical budget items may include, but are not limited to, honoraria, travel expenses, etc.
    • Literature Cited
• A Letter detailing Funding History (any current and previous funding).
• A Letter of Support from the proposed mentor.
• A Letter of Support from their current department chair (or appropriate program director).
• A Letter of Support from a proposed co-mentor (if applicable).

Do not submit an incomplete application. An application will be considered incomplete if it is illegible, if it fails to follow instructions, or if the material presented is insufficient to permit an adequate review.