Research Project Cooperative Agreements in Aging and/or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) Research

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit new, renewal, and competing revision applications, and their resubmissions, for research project cooperative agreements. The proposed research must be relevant to the mission of NIA. Areas of research that fall within NIA’s mission include: genetic, biological, neuroscientific, preclinical, clinical, behavioral, social, psychological, and economic research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. This includes research to understand the nature of aging and the aging process, research on diseases and conditions associated with aging, and other special problems and needs associated with growing older, in order to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA places major emphasis on, and has substantial resources for, research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). ADRDs include Frontotemporal dementia, vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia, Lewy body dementias, and multiple etiology dementias based on similarities in clinical symptoms and brain pathologies between these and pathologic AD and/or clinical AD. The NOFO intends to utilize the U01 activity code. The U01 activity code requires substantial programmatic involvement in order to execute the research. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: establishing milestone plans, access to various NIH resources, collaborative activities of a consortium, the development of working groups and/or coordinating committees, and the formation of an External Scientific Panel. Applications are not being solicited at this time. This notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIA program staff prior to submitting an application to discuss the responsiveness of their proposed research to the NOFO and its relevance to NIA’s programmatic priorities.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed...