Quarterly Newsletter, April 2021
POPI Year 2
The Program in Opioid and Pain Innovation has had a productive year 1. With about 40 innovators on board to push the initiative of collaboration, amongst researchers and scientists in the area of opioid and pain innovation at Brigham Health, a rigorous timeline has been put in place for the year 2021 with more to come.

Highlights of 2020
McGraw Opioid Innovator Awards
In 2020 POPI hosted it's second annual McGraw Family Opioid Awards and Shark Tank Event. Despite the set backs of COVID-19, the McGraw family gave another generous donation in support of opioid and pain innovative research.

The 2020 McGraw Award 1st Place winner is: Christopher Connor, MD, PhD.
 Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
Project: Imaging opioid effects, tolerance and addiction in C. elegans
Award: $50,000


For information on all 2020 finalists and their projects Click Here.
The 2nd place winner is:
William Renthal MD. PhD.
Assistant Professor Neurology
Project: Targeted gene therapy for Chronic Pain
Award: $25,000
Recovery Month Symposium
September 2020 Marked the POPI's first Recovery Month Symposium featuring Brigham clinicians and partners who discussed OUD and its co-existence with COVID-19, Women's Health issues, Trauma and health disparities.

To view program Click Here
To watch recorded symposium Click Here
In the News
Health Inequities/OUD
The lack of discussion of Black overdose deaths in the national opioid discourse further marginalizes Black people and is highly consistent with a history of framing the addictions of people of color as deserving of criminal punishment, rather than worthy of medical treatment. 1.
 
Although white adults have the highest absolute mortality rates due to opioid overdose as of 2017, the epidemic has accelerated rapidly among African American adults. Between 2009 and 2018, the age-adjusted rate of death due to opioid-involved overdose increased by 116% among white adults and by 289% among African American adults.2.

See recent article below for more information on treatment of OUD for black and brown people in Massachusetts.



1. James, K., & Jordan, A. (2018). The Opioid Crisis in Black Communities. The Journal of law, medicine & ethics : a journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics46(2), 404–421.

2.Goedel, W. C., Shapiro, A., Cerdá, M., Tsai, J. W., Hadland, S. E., & Marshall, B. (2020). Association of Racial/Ethnic Segregation With Treatment Capacity for Opioid Use Disorder in Counties in the United States. JAMA network open3(4), e203711.
Federal and Private Funding Opportunities
Provide funding to states to enhance their APS systems statewide, as well as improve the quality and quantity of data submitted to ACL's National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS). This Forecast seeks to fund demonstrations to address the gaps in community services that negatively impact older adults and adults with disabilities that are involved with adult protective services. This funding is intended as a demonstration to identify effective actions that reduce the harm from the opioid epidemic experienced by older adults and adults with disabilities who are involved with APS. Through this demonstration, ACL expects docum
(FOA) Number:HHS-2021-ACL-AOA-EJSG-0042
Due Date: May 23, 2021
The purpose of this funding announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to encourage research grant applications that explore whether and how alcohol and other illicit drugs or illicitly used prescription drugs interact to contribute to unintentional injuries and poisonings and how to prevent and/or reduce simultaneous use of alcohol or drugs singly or in combination. 
(FOA) Number:  PA-18-863
Due Date: September 08, 2021
The purpose of this FOA is to encourage research investigating the roles of extracellular RNA (exRNA) carrier subclasses in biological processes relevant to substance use disorders (SUDs) and/or HIV infection, latency, or pathogenesis in the CNS. Applicants may propose to investigate biological mechanisms involving exRNA carrier subclasses, or propose to develop improved technologies to investigate extracellular vesicles or other exRNA carriers.
(FOA) Number: PAR-20-148
Amount: Varies
Due Date: October 13, 2021
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) remains committed to addressing the national crisis on all fronts, with a special focus of its small business programs on encouraging biomedical product innovation to prevent new cases of opioid abuse and addiction and to treat those addicted. This funding opportunity is being offered as part of the NIH’s HEAL initiative to accelerate scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis. Biomedical technologies that lead to the prevention and treatment of opioid use disorder are highly desired and their developers are strongly encouraged to apply.
(FOA) Number: RFA-DA-19-020
Amount: Varies
Due Date: September 8, 2021
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) uses a R61/R33 Phased Innovation Award mechanism to support clinical research applications that are exploratory and developmental in nature and focus on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying Substance Use Disorders (SUD), including fundamental brain function relevant to substance use.
(FOA) Number: PAR-19-282
Amount: Varies
Due Date: October 13, 2021
The purpose of this FOA is two-fold: (1) to advance identification of male-female differences in drug and alcohol research outcomes, to uncover the mechanisms of those differences, and to conduct translational research on those differences, and (2) to advance research specific to women or highly relevant to women. Both preclinical and clinical studies are sought across all areas of drug and alcohol research.
(FOA) Number: PA-18-603
Amount: Varies
Due Date: May 8, 2021
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages pilot and preliminary research in preparation for larger-scale services research effectiveness trials. Relevant trials may test a wide range of approaches, including interventions, practices, and policies designed to optimize access to, and the quality, effectiveness, affordability and utilization of drug, tobacco, or alcohol use disorder treatments and related services, as well as services for comorbid medical and mental disorder conditions. Relevant approaches may include both those that are novel, and those that are commonly used in practice but lack an evidence base. This FOA provides resources for assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of these approaches, in addition to usual trial preparation activities.
(FOA) Number: PA-18-774
Amount: Varies
Due Date: May 8, 2021
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to encourage epidemiological, clinical and translational research that will increase our understanding of the natural history, prevalence, biological mechanisms, psychological variables, and clinical risk factors responsible for the presence of multiple chronic pain conditions in people with pain. The main objective of this FOA is the formation of research groups with interests bridging expertise in pain mechanisms with translational and clinical expertise to address important unresolved questions about overlapping pain conditions.
(FOA) Number: PA-18-937
Amount: Varies
Due Date: January 8, 2022
Private Funding Opportunities
The Foundation supports organizations and initiatives that help provide young people with opportunities to realize their highest potential regardless of the challenges they face. Funding supports work in four focus areas: Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorders – all typically underfunded and stigmatized conditions. Community members understand the prevalence and harmful effects of alcohol and drugs and work to address them. Resources for substance use disorders prevention, treatment, and recovery are readily available.
Amount: Varies Up to $25,000
Due Date: July 7, 2021
Basic and laboratory sciences: Projects that elucidate the biomolecular mechanisms of pain, develop reliable animal pain models, establish biomarkers for pain research, and study and elucidate different pain types; Population dynamics: Projects that study pain related outcomes to determine the cost effectiveness and value of pain interventions, study chronic pain prevention strategies, evaluate care delivery models, and study and reduce health care disparities.
Amount: Up to $200,000
Due Date: TBD (Timeline has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
The Jacob P. Waletzky Award is given to a young scientist (within 15 years of his/her Ph.D. or MD degree) whose independent research has led to significant conceptual and empirical contributions to the understanding of drug addiction. Both basic and clinical researchers are eligible for the award. Future plans to continue to make significant contributions to addiction research and treatment is one of the selection criteria.
Amount: $30,000
Due Date: May 14, 2021
The Helping Hands Grants Program provides grants to medical schools for mental health and substance use disorder projects, particularly in under-served minority communities. Funded projects are created and managed by medical students and can be conducted in partnership with community agencies, or in conjunction with ongoing medical school outreach activities.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Due Date: TBD
Incentive Grants offer pharmacists, students, and community pharmacy residents seed money to implement or support an existing innovative patient care service within their pharmacy practice.
Amount: Varies
Due Date: Early September
Fellowships and Nursing Funding Opportunities
The purpose of this award is to recognize nurses who are advancing excellence in nursing care for the prevention and treatment of addictions. These nurses, working with diverse population across all practice settings should be recognized for their efforts related to advocacy, collaboration, education, research, and/or policy development.
Amount: Varies
Due Date: September 25, 2021
The John J. Bonica Trainee Fellowship was established in 1998 in memory of the founder of IASP to support training in all aspects of pain research.
Amount: One 24-month fellowship of up to US$50,000 per year
Due Date: June 1, 2021
For more OUD and Pain related funding opportunities visit Funding
Featured Innovator Publications
Schreiber, Kristin, MD, PhD - Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Weiner, Scott, MD, MPH - Emergency Medicine
Gilligan, Christopher, MD, MBA - Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Medicine

Haipeng, Mark (Zhang), DO - Palliative Medicine

Shannon, Evan M. MD - Internal Medicine, Chen, Antonia F., MD, - Orthopaedic Surgery
To learn read more publications by Brigham Health POPI Innovators visit - Publications
Upcoming Events

Lunch and Learn: Opioid Use Disorder Prevention
April 28, 11 a.m. - 12 noon

Click Here to Attend!

Featuring presenters from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Highland Hospital-Alameda Health System.

Lead The Change
Addiction, Recovery, and Mental Health

May 20, 2021
12p.m.- 1 p.m.

To be sent event information or for more information on Lead The Change please email:


“Lead the Change” is a monthly forum spearheaded by Brigham Health's VP of Public Policy, Bernie Jones, to discuss and explore tough current issues in healthcare and health policy .

In May, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month, a panel will discuss the intersection of mental health and substance use disorder and the populations most adversely affected.

Current panelists include Dr. Jessica Isom from the Codman Square Health Center, Dr. Doug Jacobs from McLean Hospital, Dr. Claudia Rodriguez from BWFH, and Dr. Joji Suzuki from BWH.

To Register
OUD Around the Globe
A Speaker Series


June 1st is the start of a 5 week speaker series hosted by POPI and the Harvard Medical School Center for Global Health Delivery.

This seminar series will showcase a number of practice-based approaches and public health policies, from around the world, that address opioid use disorder and opioid-related overdoses and deaths. Topics within each presentation will include treatment models, harm reduction strategies, clinical guidelines, and policy-based approaches.
BECOME A POPI INNOVATOR
Do you have a strong passion for research and or education in pain, opioid use disorder, co-occurring disorders or ALL OF THE ABOVE?

Do you enjoy sharing ideas and collaborating with others?

Would you like to help expand the network and resources for scientists researchers investigators and clinicians at Brigham Health to further their work?

Join POPI!!

For more information email:

To view current innovators:

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

The next POPI Meeting will be held
Thursday, June 3rd
4:00pm- 5:00 PM
Virtual Zoom

If you would like to attend please RSVP to the right.

For any additional questions or concerns contact Gloria Brand, Director,
Program in Opioid and Pain Innovation (POPI)
617-278-0516
*This newsletter was revised on 4.27.21 to reflect correct content for "Health Inequities/OUD" news link.
POPI Quarterly Meeting
LOCATION
https://partners.zoom.us/j/86741225410

DATE AND TIME
06/03/21 4:00pm - 06/03/21 5:00pm

Updates on POPI strategic plan and timeline.
I'll be there!
Maybe
I can't make it