The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is preparing to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at supporting the development of medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol-Associated Organ Damage (AAOD) through the Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling and early-stage development process. Eligible applicants, specifically small businesses, are invited to propose projects that advance therapeutic candidates with a solid foundation of background data, facilitating their transition to preclinical and clinical phases of development. This initiative is crucial for addressing the public health challenges associated with alcohol-related conditions, with the NOFO expected to be published on January 16, 2025, and applications due by April 5, 2025. The funding will utilize R41/R42 activity codes, and the estimated award date is September 30, 2025, with project start dates anticipated for December 1, 2025.