The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a funding opportunity through the HEAL Initiative aimed at advancing research to identify new pain targets within the understudied druggable proteome. This initiative invites applications for pilot projects under the R03 Small Grant Program, providing up to $100,000 for projects lasting one year, focused on generating preliminary data on specified understudied proteins relevant to pain management without involving clinical trials. This funding is critical in addressing the public health crisis related to opioid addiction and the need for effective pain management solutions, encouraging diverse participation and collaboration among researchers. Interested applicants must submit their proposals electronically by July 16, 2026, and can direct inquiries to grantsinfo@nih.gov for further information.