Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 24 023

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-24-023.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity.

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 Research Project Grant mechanism.

Is a clinical trial required for this R01?

No. The opportunity is designated "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning an application may include a clinical trial if it is the best way to answer the research question, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.

What research area or funding category does this opportunity fall under?

It sits within the health funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.242.

What is the main purpose or focus of the initiative?

The central purpose is to advance schizophrenia and related disorders research beyond the traditional emphasis on early illness onset by focusing on midlife and later life. It emphasizes that most individuals living with schizophrenia and related disorders are older than 35, including people aging with earlier diagnoses and people whose first clinically recognized symptoms or diagnosis occur later in adulthood.

Why is NIH emphasizing mid- to late-life schizophrenia research in this announcement?

The notice highlights a major gap: despite a large proportion of affected individuals being in midlife and older age ranges, the mechanisms shaping illness generation and its trajectory over time in these stages of adulthood are still not well understood. The initiative aims to address this gap.

What types of research are considered responsive based on the description provided?

Responsive projects would be expected to advance translational research that clarifies how schizophrenia and related disorders emerge, evolve, and progress during mid- to late-life. The description indicates projects should connect biological, clinical, behavioral, and/or environmental insights in ways that improve real-world relevance and explain illness course in later adulthood.

What does "translational research" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the provided description, translational research here refers to work that links biological, clinical, behavioral, and/or environmental findings and moves results toward real-world relevance, with the goal of producing actionable insights for prevention strategies and more effective treatments tailored to midlife and older adults.

What outcomes is NIH looking for from funded projects?

A major desired outcome is the identification of actionable targets that could inform future development of prevention strategies and more effective treatments, especially approaches tailored to the needs and realities of midlife and older adults.

Does this opportunity focus only on people diagnosed early in life?

No. The focus includes people diagnosed earlier who are now aging with the condition, as well as people whose first clinically recognized symptoms or diagnosis occur later in adulthood.

What age range is implied by "mid- to late-life" in this listing?

The description emphasizes that most individuals living with schizophrenia and related disorders are older than 35, and it frames the target population as people in midlife and later life. No additional age cutoffs are specified in the information provided.

What kinds of study designs can fit under this R01?

As an R01, it is designed to support substantial, hypothesis-driven research programs and is flexible enough to accommodate a range of study designs. The description specifically notes observational and mechanistic studies, as well as intervention studies when appropriate.

What are some example research approaches mentioned as being opened up by the "Clinical Trial Optional" designation?

The description notes that this designation broadens what can be proposed, potentially including longitudinal cohort studies of symptom, cognitive, functional, and medical trajectories; studies of aging-related risk and resilience factors; mechanistic research on neurobiology and immune or metabolic contributions (among other translational pathways); and intervention development or testing when a clinical trial approach is justified.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility is broad. 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; 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 (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically identified as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls out Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) as eligible.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed among eligible applicants.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments that are not federally recognized eligible?

Yes. Tribal governments that are not federally recognized are explicitly listed as eligible.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.

Are eligible federal government agencies allowed to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal government agencies are explicitly included in the list of eligible applicants.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on June 29, 2023.

What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is September 7, 2026.

Is the award ceiling provided in the listing?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided information.

Is the expected number of awards provided?

No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information.

What does it mean that the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified here?

Based on the description, when these details are not specified in the listing it often means applicants may need to consult the full funding announcement and NIH policy guidance for budget structuring norms under the R01 mechanism, including any institute- or program-specific expectations.

Is this opportunity intended for pilot projects or larger research programs?

It is intended to support substantial, hypothesis-driven research programs rather than small pilot projects, consistent with the R01 mechanism.

What is the overall goal of the opportunity as described?

Overall, the opportunity is geared toward improving understanding of schizophrenia and related disorders in mid- to late-life and translating that understanding into clear, testable prevention and treatment targets that can ultimately improve outcomes for this large and often understudied segment of the affected population.