Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 071

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 071

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 20-071; CFDA 93.866) supports the advanced-stage expansion and real-world use of research infrastructure meant to push aging science forward. The core idea is not to fund a single, standalone research project, but to strengthen and mature shared infrastructure that can enable multiple projects and collaborations focused on high-priority questions in aging. The emphasis is on areas where progress depends on interdisciplinary partnerships, meaning applicants should be building bridges across fields (for example, linking biology of aging with clinical research, behavioral science, social science, data science, engineering, or health services research) so the resulting platform can support more integrated, team-based aging studies.

This program uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grants Phase II (R33) mechanism, which is generally aimed at efforts that have already moved beyond early proof-of-concept and are ready for more substantial development, scaling, and broader utilization. In line with that purpose, applicants are expected to already have an existing infrastructure in place before applying. That prior foundation could have been built through earlier NIH support (specifically referenced is PA-12-064) or through other NIH or non-NIH funding. The R33 support is intended to take that earlier investment to the next level by expanding capabilities, improving functionality, increasing adoption by users, and moving the infrastructure toward maturity and long-term sustainability. In practical terms, this typically means the infrastructure should be positioned to serve a wider research community, operate more reliably at scale, and demonstrate a clear plan for maintenance, governance, and ongoing access after the award period ends.

A major expected outcome is the development of a "mature and sustainable" infrastructure that directly supports projects addressing key interdisciplinary aging research questions. While the FOA language does not list specific scientific topics in the text provided, it makes clear that the infrastructure should be novel and purpose-built to accelerate progress in aging research areas that cannot be effectively addressed by a single discipline alone. Depending on the nature of the proposed platform, infrastructure could include things like coordinated research networks, shared data resources, harmonized measures and protocols, tools for integrating multi-modal datasets, collaborative cores that enable standardized recruitment or phenotyping, or other enabling structures that make it easier for multiple investigators to conduct rigorous, comparable, and scalable aging studies. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may include clinical trial-related elements if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required for the application to be responsive.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations: state, county, city, and 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; other tribal organizations (not federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those are listed separately); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA 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, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it places clear limits on non-U.S. participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which typically means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain defined international elements or collaborations when justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the applicant.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant under NIH, with an original closing date listed as 2022-11-16 and a creation date of 2019-12-09. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not provided in the excerpted data, so applicants would normally look to the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for details on allowable costs, project period, and any institute- or program-specific funding expectations. Overall, the program is designed for teams that already have a functioning research infrastructure related to aging and are ready to demonstrate that, with additional support, it can be expanded into a robust, sustainable platform that meaningfully accelerates interdisciplinary aging research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (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): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-16. (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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