UK Launches £10M Initiative to Strengthen Drug and Alcohol Addiction Research

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) have launched the Addiction Healthcare Goals (AHG) Research Leadership Programme to tackle drug and alcohol addiction across the UK. With over 15,000 lives lost annually and billions spent addressing addiction, the £10 million programme aims to expand research capacity, strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery pathways, and integrate research into clinical and social care.

Supported by devolved governments, the initiative will fund predoctoral, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers through NIHR awards, supporting career development and building a skilled workforce. Delivered via partnerships with NIHR, the Society for the Study of Addiction, and the Medical Research Council, the programme will cultivate future research leaders and foster innovation to reduce the long-term impact of addiction.

Funding opportunities will be announced on the NIHR website, with successful applicants gaining NIHR Academy membership and professional development support.

15-09-2025