DISCA Program for Senior Researchers

Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Awards (DISCA) and U.S. Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Awards (USDISCA)

Through the Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Award Program (“Program”), NIDA seeks to enhance international collaborative research on drug use and addiction-related consequences. Through the competitive DISCA and USDISCA,  senior researchers from other countries and NIDA-funded senior researchers apply to work together in the most suitable location for their joint research.

The Program allows participants to choose the travel option that works best for their research.

• If the project would best be conducted within the United States, international drug use and addiction researchers should apply for the DISCA program to visit their U.S. partners.
• If the project would best be conducted outside of the United States, NIDA-funded senior researchers should apply for the USDISCA program to visit their partner’s home country.

Successful candidates will be highly qualified researchers, and priority will be given to new collaborations. Applicants must propose an innovative collaboration that can produce outcomes—such as a new investigative finding, scientific publication, or research grant proposal—and falls within the NIDA research mission.

What Do the DISCA and USDISCA Awards Include?

DISCA and USDISCA awards provide a research exchange visit lasting at least four weeks, depending upon the project requirements, and a one-time stipend of up to US$8,000 to offset the cost of round-trip air travel and living expenses incurred during the research exchange. Visas and health insurance are the responsibility of the awardee.

Who is Eligible?

The requirements for applicants are:

• The U.S. NIDA-funded senior researcher and the non-U.S. senior researcher must each have a:
  • Minimum of seven years’ experience in drug use and addiction research beyond the postdoctoral level.
  • Documented scientific record that includes peer-reviewed publications.
• The U.S. NIDA-funded senior researcher must be a current NIDA grantee throughout the award period.
• The non-U.S. senior researcher must be a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States.

What Are the Requirements for the Research Exchange Visit?

The research exchange visit should be planned to be at least four weeks in length, focused on finishing a project that could not be completed without face-to-face consultation and completed within 12 months of the award announcement.

When Is the Application Deadline?

Application Deadline: Open  
Award Notification: Six weeks after submission

The U.S. senior researcher’s NIDA-funded grant must be active throughout the proposed collaboration period, and the exchange visit must be completed within 12 months of the award announcement.

What Materials Should I Use To Prepare My Application?

Applicants and their research partners should jointly complete the application form and assemble all supporting documents for submission to the NIDA International Program. Applicants for DISCA and USDISCA use the same application form and follow the same application instructions. The application materials include:

• DISCA Application Form (PDF, 300KB)
• DISCA Instruction Packet (PDF, 250KB)

In addition, applicants must also submit:

Letter of Invitation

A formal letter of invitation from the host institution. The letter must be issued on the host institution’s letterhead and signed by the department chair or dean of the host institution. A signature from the collaborating researcher is not acceptable. The letter of invitation must:

1. Describe the institutional resources available to support the research exchange visit (including, but not limited to, laboratory or office space, use of computers and software, biological specimens, supplies, and libraries)
2. Outline the relationship between the research exchange visit and ongoing collaboration between the two scientists or institutions.

Confirmation Letter from U.S. institution, Program Sponsor, J-1 visa

For DISCA applications, the U.S. NIDA-funded senior researcher must obtain and submit a letter from his or her institution confirming the institution as a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor authorized to issue Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. Non-U.S. researchers must obtain a J-1 visa to complete the short-term exchange visit in the United States.

How Should I Apply?

Complete applications and all supporting documents must be submitted electronically to the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.

For assistance, email the NIDA International Program at ip@nida.nih.gov.

Who Has Been a DISCA or a USDISCA Awardee and Collaborator?