Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 218

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 218

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a grant opportunity called "Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" under funding opportunity number PAR-25-218. The goal is to build new, sustainable research infrastructure that can move aging science forward in areas where progress depends on interdisciplinary partnerships and collaboration. Rather than funding a single standalone research study, this program is centered on creating shared capacity such as platforms, resources, networks, methods, tools, data systems, coordinated teams, or other infrastructure that enables multiple projects to tackle key aging-related questions that sit at the intersections of different fields.

The award uses the NIH Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R61/R33), which is designed to support ideas that need an initial development stage before scaling up. The first phase is the R61, providing up to two years for early developmental activities. This is where applicants would typically build, test, and refine the core components of the proposed infrastructure, demonstrate feasibility, establish partnerships, and meet clearly defined milestones that show the infrastructure is working as intended. If the R61 phase meets its objectives, the project can transition into the second phase, the R33, which can provide up to three additional years to expand and fully implement the infrastructure. The R33 phase is meant for broader rollout, growth in use and reach, and strengthening the infrastructure so it can support multiple interdisciplinary aging projects over time. A central emphasis across both phases is sustainability, meaning the infrastructure should be designed to persist and remain useful beyond the grant period, rather than being a short-lived resource tied to one project team.

Clinical trials are optional, which means applicants may include a clinical trial component if it is appropriate for developing or validating the infrastructure, but they are not required to do so. The activity category is Health, and the opportunity is classified as a discretionary grant program. The CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity are 93.313 and 93.866. The application closing date listed is 2025-12-02, and the opportunity was created on 2024-11-07. The notice does not provide a specific award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO and NIH budget guidance for details on allowable budgets, milestones, and transition criteria.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important restrictions related to non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant can include certain allowable foreign activities or collaborations when they meet NIH policy requirements and are justified as necessary for the project. This structure allows international collaboration in a limited, policy-governed way, while keeping the applicant organization itself domestic.

Overall, this program is aimed at teams that can bring together multiple disciplines to create enabling infrastructure for aging research, with a clear developmental plan in the R61 phase, a credible scaling plan in the R33 phase, and a realistic strategy for long-term sustainability and impact.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R61/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): 93.313, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-02. (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 25 218

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