UC Launches $2M Addiction Research and Treatment Center

The new UC/UC Health Addiction Center will unite research, clinical care, and education to address addiction in Greater Cincinnati.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The University of Cincinnati (UC) and UC Health have launched the UC/UC Health Addiction Center (UCAC), a $2 million initiative over the next five years to improve addiction prevention and treatment outcomes in the Greater Cincinnati area. UCAC will leverage the collaborative efforts of over 30 faculty members across five colleges and 12 departments to accelerate addiction science through pilot research funding, expand evidence-based clinical care, enhance addiction education, and promote community engagement.

Why it matters

Addiction is a major public health challenge in the Greater Cincinnati region, and the new UCAC center aims to take a multidisciplinary approach to address this issue through research, clinical care, and community outreach. By uniting experts from across the university, UCAC is positioned to make significant advancements in addiction science and treatment.

The details

The UC/UC Health Addiction Center (UCAC) will receive approximately $2 million in funding over the next five years from the UC College of Medicine and UC Health. The center will support administrative efforts, research, clinical improvement initiatives, and fellowship programs. UCAC builds on the success of the existing Center for Addiction Research at UC, leveraging the collaborative work of over 30 faculty members from five colleges and 12 departments.

  • The UC/UC Health Addiction Center (UCAC) launched in February 2026.

The players

University of Cincinnati (UC)

A public research university located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

UC Health

The University of Cincinnati's academic health system, which includes five hospitals and numerous outpatient clinics.

UC College of Medicine

One of the seven academic colleges that make up the University of Cincinnati.

Center for Addiction Research

An existing research center at the University of Cincinnati that will serve as the foundation for the new UCAC initiative.

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What they’re saying

“We must take a comprehensive approach to addressing the addiction crisis in our community. The new UC/UC Health Addiction Center will allow us to leverage our world-class research and clinical expertise to make a real difference.”

— Nira Pollock, Director, UC/UC Health Addiction Center (Mirage News)

What’s next

The UCAC plans to begin accepting applications for its new addiction research fellowship program in the summer of 2026.

The takeaway

By uniting experts from across the University of Cincinnati and UC Health system, the new UCAC center is poised to drive innovation in addiction research, treatment, and community engagement to address this critical public health issue in the Greater Cincinnati region.