Research Opportunity Announcements

To increase awareness of ongoing mental health research, NAMI National creates “Research Opportunity Announcements” to ensure our grassroots leaders are aware of both clinical trials and social sciences research relevant to the mental health community. Promoted research may be conducted by government, academic or private industry partners, or any other entity that has secured IRB approval/exemption for their study. 

Researchers who have secured IRB approval/exemption for their studies may submit an application requesting a partnership with NAMI.

As we take our role in sharing this information very seriously, all studies selected for promotion have been thoroughly reviewed to ensure the safety of those involved. If you have any questions about Research Opportunity Announcements or a study that has been shared by NAMI, please contact us at research@nami.org.

New This Month​

Clinical Research Study: Bolster App for Caregivers of Young Adults with Early Psychosis

• This study is a randomized controlled trial of Bolster, a mobile phone application (app) designed to support caregivers of young adults with early psychosis in accessing treatment for their loved one. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the Bolster app or a collection of existing online resources. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about their attitudes, stress levels, experiences with caregiving, and their loved one’s engagement in treatment throughout the study. Total participation time is 12 weeks. Participants will receive $180 in Amazon gift cards for completing all study activities. Participants may be located anywhere in the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Announcement and study flyer. 

Clinical Trial: Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia

• This study is a clinical research trial for the investigational drug, BI 425809. This trial will determine if the investigational drug is safe and effective for improving cognition in individuals with schizophrenia. Study participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the investigational drug or placebo in addition to their current schizophrenia medications. There are multiple study site locations across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement and study flyer.

Clinical Trial: Juniper Study

• The Juniper study is a clinical trial to test the safety, efficacy and tolerability of centanafadine to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults who have not responded to other treatment options. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Focus Group: Telebehavioral Health

• This study is for parents and caregivers of children that are receiving mental health services and who have used telehealth for mental health care. Recruited individuals will participate in a virtual focus group to share their perspectives on and experiences with telehealth services for mental health treatment, and how they compare to in-person care. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement and this infographic.

Clinical Trial: Medication for Treatment-Resistant Depression

• This study is a clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug, NV-5138, in adults with treatment-resistant depression. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Anouncement.  

Clinical Trial: Monarch Study

• The Monarch study is a clinical trial to test the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of the investigational drug JZP150 in treating adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Anouncement.

Current Opportunities

Survey Study: Influence of Family Structure on Disordered Eating

• This study is an anonymous online survey for individuals with a history of or current experience with disordered eating. The goal of this study is to assess the influence of family dynamics and family structure on the development and severity of disordered eating patterns and eating disorders. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Clinical Trial: Transcanial Magnetic Stimulation

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses a magnet to activate specific areas of the brain. TMS may be used to address symptoms of various mental health conditions. This study is a clinical trial seeking to improve the speed and effectiveness of TMS to treat symptoms of psychosis. This study takes place at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Clinical Research Study: Social Processes

• This is a clinical research study examining the relationship between social interaction and brain activity, mood, and thinking patterns for adults with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. The study takes place in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Clinical Trial: Mobile Application for Depression (BeWell Study)

• This study is a fully remote clinical trial evaluating the impact of a well-being mobile application (app) known as the Healthy Minds Program for people experiencing depression. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Survey Study: Ethics of Mental Health Mobile Applications

• This study is a confidential and anonymous online survey to gather adults’ views on the ethics (privacy and safety) of mental health apps. Mental health apps include mood trackers, therapy apps, mindfulness apps, etc. Participants will receive a $20 gift card for completing the survey. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Clinical Trial: Investigational Medication for Schizophrenia (DIAMOND 2 study)

• This study is a clinical research trial for the investigational medication SEP-363856 to determine if the medication is safe and effective for reducing symptoms of acute psychosis in adults with schizophrenia. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States with study sites located in 10 states. Qualified participants may be compensated for their time and travel. For more information and specific study site locations, please see the following NAMI Research Opportunity Announcements: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas.

Survey Study: Experiences with REMS Programs for Clozapine

• Risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) programs are a federally mandated part of taking certain medications and can include various types of patient monitoring, prescribing restrictions, and physician and pharmacy training and certification. This study is designed to better understand individual experiences with REMS programs as a requirement of taking the medication clozapine (Clozaril) via remote, phone-based qualitative interviews. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.

Clinical Trial: Investigational Medication for Schizophrenia

• EMERGENT-5 study
  • This study is a clinical research trial for the investigational product KarXT (combination xanomeline-trospium). The trial will determine if KarXT is safe and effective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia in adults. Participants will receive payment for completed study visits and for completion of digital biomarker assessment surveys. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.  
• ARISE study 
  • This study is a clinical research trial for the investigational medication KarXT (combination xanomeline-trospium) to determine if the medication is safe and effective in treating symptoms of schizophrenia in combination with another antipsychotic medication. Individuals joining the study will receive compensation for their participation. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement. 

Clinical Trial: Investigational Medication for PTSD

• This study is a clinical research trial to determine if the investigational drug BI 1358894 is safe and effective for reducing symptoms of PTSD. The study is currently seeking participants across the United States. Reimbursement for study-related travel may be provided. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement. 

Clinical Trial: Investigational Medication for MDD

• This study is a clinical research trial to determine if the oral medication BI 1358894 is safe and effective in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who have not responded to other forms of treatment. Participants will receive compensation for their time and travel. The study is currently seeking participants in various countries, including the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.   

Clinical Trial: Investigational Medication for Bipolar Depression

• This study is a clinical research trial for a medication to treat depression in people who have been diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. The trial will determine if this investigational medication is safe and effective in patients with major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder who have not responded to other forms of treatment or have experienced adverse side effects with other treatments. Reimbursement may be available for travel and associated costs throughout the duration of the study. The study is currently seeking participants in various countries, including the United States. For more information, please see the NAMI Research Opportunity Announcement.