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.Apply for PAR 18 645
- 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.
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FAQs: NIH PAR-18-645 - Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)
What is the goal of this funding opportunity?
This NIH funding opportunity supports the creation of new, sustainable research infrastructure that advances interdisciplinary aging science. The emphasis is on building shared capabilities, platforms, and collaborative structures that make it easier for multiple investigators and disciplines to work together on important aging-related questions over the long term, rather than funding a single narrowly defined research project.
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
The funding opportunity is PAR-18-645, titled "Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)."
Is this grant meant to fund a single research study?
No. The central idea is to build research infrastructure that enables a broader range of interdisciplinary aging research. While the infrastructure may be used to support many studies over time, the focus of the award is on creating shared resources and structures that reduce barriers to collaboration and accelerate progress across multiple projects and teams.
What does "research infrastructure" mean in this FOA?
In this FOA, research infrastructure refers to durable resources, systems, and organizational structures that enable and strengthen interdisciplinary aging research. Examples mentioned include shared research cores, coordinated networks, data resources and harmonized datasets, standardized protocols, training and coordination structures, community-engaged research partnerships, or other long-lasting systems that help investigators from different fields collaborate effectively.
What does "interdisciplinary aging studies" mean in practical terms?
The infrastructure is expected to support research addressing key interdisciplinary aging questions, meaning the supported work benefits from multiple disciplines working together. The FOA gives examples of disciplines that may be involved, such as biology, clinical medicine, public health, behavioral science, social science, engineering, and informatics.
What award mechanism is used (R21/R33), and why does it matter?
This FOA uses the NIH Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R21/R33), designed for initiatives that benefit from a staged approach. Applicants are expected to propose (1) an early development phase and (2) a scale-up/implementation phase, with a clear pathway connecting the two.
How long is the R21 phase, and what is it intended to support?
The R21 phase can provide up to two years of support. It is intended for early development work such as planning, prototyping, piloting, building partnerships, establishing governance, setting up core resources, or testing feasibility of the infrastructure concept.
How long is the R33 phase, and what is it intended to support?
The R33 phase can provide up to three additional years of support. It is intended for expansion and broader implementation, including scaling up, formalizing, and operationalizing the infrastructure so it produces lasting value beyond the award period.
Does funding automatically move from R21 to R33?
No. The FOA indicates that the transition depends on whether the R21 phase demonstrates sufficient progress and readiness. Applicants should plan for measurable development milestones in R21 and a concrete plan for scaling and operationalization in R33.
What is meant by "developmental milestones" in the R21 phase?
Based on the FOA description, developmental milestones are measurable indicators of progress during the R21 period that show the infrastructure concept is feasible and ready to transition into broader implementation. The FOA frames these milestones around activities like planning, prototyping, piloting, governance setup, partnership development, and early testing of core resources.
What does "sustainability" mean for this opportunity?
Sustainability refers to having a credible plan for the infrastructure to continue supporting interdisciplinary aging research after the grant period ends. The FOA emphasizes creating durable systems and lasting value beyond the award.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is "clinical trial optional," meaning applications may include clinical trials or may not, depending on what the proposed infrastructure is designed to support.
Who can apply (eligibility overview)?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations. Examples listed include state, county, 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 or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible categories NIH includes under "others."
Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types or community organizations?
Yes. The FOA 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.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
Are any international collaborations allowed at all?
Yes, but with limits. The FOA states that "foreign components," as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. Practically, that means a U.S.-based applicant may include well-justified international elements or collaborations if they meet NIH's definition and requirements for foreign components, while keeping the primary applicant organization domestic.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of grant is this administratively?
The record describes it as a discretionary grant opportunity offered by NIH.
When was this opportunity created, and what is the listed closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2018-02-08, and the original closing date listed is 2020-01-07.
Does the provided record list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided record does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidelines for details on allowable costs, typical award sizes, and any institute-specific budget expectations.
What NIH mission areas does this opportunity align with?
The activity is positioned within NIH's health and education research mission and is associated with CFDA 93.399 and 93.866.
What kinds of activities might be supported in the R21 phase versus the R33 phase?
In the R21 phase, the FOA description emphasizes early development activities like planning, prototyping, piloting, partnership building, governance establishment, core resource setup, and feasibility testing. In the R33 phase, the emphasis shifts to expansion and broader implementation, including scaling up, formalizing, and operationalizing the infrastructure to create durable, ongoing value.
What is NIH looking for conceptually in a strong application (based on the summary provided)?
The opportunity is geared toward teams that can (1) identify a high-impact infrastructure gap in interdisciplinary aging research, (2) propose a phased buildout with measurable progress from R21 to R33, and (3) present a credible sustainability plan so the infrastructure continues supporting aging research well after the grant period ends.
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| Advancing Exceptional Research on HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse (R01, Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 18 022 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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