Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 596

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 596

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced this discretionary grant opportunity, PAR 18 596, titled "Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." It uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended to support substantial, investigator-initiated research projects that can address important scientific questions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias. The central goal of the announcement is to invite research applications focused on "current topics" in the field, with the understanding that NIH would further specify and refine the priority areas through a series of official notices released in late January and early February 2018. In practical terms, applicants were expected to align their proposals with those time-sensitive priorities once the topic notices were posted, rather than relying only on a broad, general AD description.

A key feature of the opportunity is the label "Clinical Trial Optional." That signals that proposed projects may include a clinical trial if it is scientifically justified, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive to the announcement. This makes the FOA flexible: it can support basic, translational, clinical, and potentially intervention-oriented research, as long as the work fits NIH's stated topic interests for that cycle and uses the R01 framework.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply for NIH funding. Domestic applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also allows nonprofit organizations both with and without IRS 501(c)(3) status (when not acting as institutions of higher education), as well as for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly highlights other eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; certain tribal governments other than federally recognized ones; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). It also notes eligible agencies of the U.S. federal government, which can be relevant for intramural or interagency collaborations.

The activity category is Health, and the associated CFDA numbers are 93.853 and 93.866, which are commonly tied to NIH research programs in neurology and aging-related areas. The original application due date listed is April 17, 2018, and the FOA record shows a creation date of January 29, 2018. The public summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and related NIH notices for budgeting expectations, funding levels, and any institute-specific constraints.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as an NIH R01 call designed to rapidly steer investigator-led proposals toward priority Alzheimer's and related dementia questions identified for that period. It is structured to attract a wide range of institutions, including minority-serving institutions, community organizations, tribal entities, territorial organizations, and foreign organizations, and it accommodates studies with or without clinical trial components depending on the scientific aims.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-01-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-04-17. (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 18 596

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