Enhancing Central Neural Control of Mobility in Aging (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 18 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 18 019

The NIH funding opportunity "Enhancing Central Neural Control of Mobility in Aging (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (RFA-AG-18-019) is a cooperative agreement mechanism designed to push research beyond traditional musculoskeletal or peripheral explanations for mobility decline and focus directly on how the aging brain controls walking and other forms of movement. The core scientific aim is to generate a clearer, mechanistic understanding of central neural contributions to mobility in older adults who do not have overt neurological diseases (so, not cohorts defined primarily by conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, or diagnosed dementia). The announcement emphasizes the use of innovative and emerging tools from neuroscience, geriatrics, and mobility research, reflecting a priority to study mobility through modern neural measurement and intervention approaches rather than relying only on standard clinical assessments.

A major theme is brain plasticity in later life: how adaptable the aging brain remains, how that adaptability might vary across individuals, and how researchers could potentially harness it to maintain or improve mobility. In practical terms, the opportunity is looking for projects that can identify modifiable neural predictors of mobility decline and link those predictors to actionable intervention strategies. The rationale is that mobility impairment is extremely common with aging and is strongly associated with downstream harms including disability, loss of independence, falls and related complications, institutionalization, and mortality. By uncovering neural mechanisms and targets that can be changed (through training, stimulation, pharmacologic approaches, behavior change, or other strategies), the research funded under this announcement is intended to help lay the groundwork for new therapeutics and prevention approaches that keep people mobile as they age.

The FOA strongly encourages multidisciplinary, collaborative teams that bring together basic scientists, clinical researchers, and translational investigators. That signals an expectation that successful applications will not sit in a single silo (for example, only imaging, only biomechanics, or only clinical gait testing), but will integrate methods and perspectives across fields. Because the mechanism is a U01 cooperative agreement, applicants should also expect substantial NIH program involvement during the life of the award, typically including coordination around milestones, collaboration, and other cooperative features that go beyond what is typical for a standard research project grant.

The "clinical trial optional" designation means applications may include a clinical trial if it is scientifically justified, but a trial is not mandatory. This creates room for a range of study types, from observational and mechanistic studies that map neural control processes, to experimental studies that test interventions aimed at improving neural control of mobility, to hybrid translational designs that connect neural biomarkers to real-world mobility outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizational types such as state, local, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit entities (other than small businesses); and small businesses, among others. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicants such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components are allowed as defined by NIH policy, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain international elements when well justified and compliant with NIH rules.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.866 and was issued by the National Institutes of Health, with a creation date of October 25, 2017 and an original closing date of February 21, 2018. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided text. Overall, the program is aimed at accelerating a more brain-centered understanding of mobility aging, identifying modifiable neural mechanisms that predict decline, and using those insights to inform new interventions that help older adults maintain independence and quality of life.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Central Neural Control of Mobility in Aging (U01 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 2017-10-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-02-21. (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 RFA AG 18 019

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