NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) and Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Biospecimen Access

Biospecimen Access for Longitudinal Developmental and Substance-Use Studies

NIDA is opening access to biospecimens from three major prospective cohort studies to enable secondary research on genetic and environmental determinants of health trajectories across the lifespan. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, and Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study contain linked biological samples and rich phenotypic data. Researchers can request biospecimens to investigate how substance exposure, genetic variation, and environmental factors—including socioeconomic, psychosocial, and developmental contexts—shape disease risk and resilience from childhood through adulthood. Studies should leverage the longitudinal design and existing data infrastructure to maximize scientific return on these limited, irreplaceable samples and advance understanding of mechanisms underlying health disparities and developmental trajectories.

• Who can apply: NIH-eligible institutions and researchers; proposals must align with original study objectives and ethical frameworks governing biospecimen use.
• Funding & project length: Not stated.
• Award mechanism: Biospecimen access request (not a traditional grant mechanism).
• Key dates: Not stated.
• Best fit for: Developmental neuroscience, epidemiology, and substance-use research using genomic, proteomic, or metabolomic approaches in pediatric and adolescent populations.