Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 645

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 645

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-645) supports the creation of new, sustainable research infrastructure meant to push aging science forward in areas where progress depends on interdisciplinary partnerships. The central idea is not simply to fund a single research project, but to build shared capabilities, platforms, and collaborative structures that make it easier for multiple investigators and disciplines to tackle important aging-related questions over the long term. The activity is positioned within NIH's health and education research mission (CFDA 93.399 and 93.866), and it explicitly allows applications that may or may not include clinical trials ("clinical trial optional"), depending on what the proposed infrastructure is designed to support.

This FOA uses the NIH Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R21/R33), which is designed for initiatives that benefit from a staged approach. The first phase provides up to two years of R21 support focused on early development work, such as planning, prototyping, piloting, building partnerships, establishing governance, setting up core resources, or testing feasibility of the infrastructure concept. If the initial phase demonstrates enough progress and readiness, the award can transition into the second phase, which provides up to three additional years of R33 support for expansion and broader implementation. In practice, that means applicants are expected to propose a clear pathway: an initial set of developmental milestones during the R21 period, followed by a concrete plan to scale up, formalize, and operationalize the infrastructure during the R33 period in a way that creates lasting value beyond the award.

The infrastructure emphasis is key. Rather than funding narrowly scoped studies, NIH is inviting applicants to develop resources that enable a wider range of interdisciplinary aging research. Depending on the scientific need, this could include shared research cores, coordinated networks, data resources and harmonized datasets, standardized protocols, training and coordination structures, community-engaged research partnerships, or other durable systems that reduce barriers to collaboration across fields. The expectation is that these resources will be designed to support projects addressing "key interdisciplinary aging research questions," meaning the infrastructure should make it easier for researchers from different backgrounds (for example, biology, clinical medicine, public health, behavioral science, social science, engineering, and informatics) to work together effectively on complex aging-related challenges.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants listed for this opportunity include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories that NIH sometimes includes under "others." The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, certain tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth reflects an intent to encourage infrastructure efforts that can be grounded in diverse settings and communities, including those often underrepresented in research.

At the same time, there are important limitations related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, the FOA states that "foreign components," as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practical terms, that typically means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified international elements or collaborations as part of the project, as long as they meet NIH's definition and requirements for foreign components, but the main applicant organization must be domestic and the project structure must align with NIH policy.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by NIH, created on 2018-02-08, with an original closing date listed as 2020-01-07. The provided record does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which suggests applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidelines to understand allowable costs, typical award sizes, and any institute-specific budgeting expectations. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward teams that can define a high-impact infrastructure gap in interdisciplinary aging research, propose a phased buildout with measurable progress from R21 to R33, and demonstrate a credible plan for sustainability so the infrastructure continues supporting aging research well after the grant period ends.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.399, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 18 645

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