Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.

No late applications will be accepted for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the How to Apply - Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions.

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

There are several options available to submit your application through Grants.gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners. You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity.

1. Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online.
2. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants.gov and eRA Commons to track your application. Check with your institutional officials regarding availability.
   
   
3. Use Grants.gov Workspace to prepare and submit your application and eRA Commons to track your application.



Table of Contents
Part 1. Overview Information
Key Dates
Part 2. Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description

Background

The number of people aged 65 years and older is projected to increase from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050, and the number of people aged 80 years and older is growing even faster from 155 million in 2021 to an estimated 459 million in 2050. In addition, the fastest growing and rapidly aging populations in the world reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), outpacing populations in high-income countries (HICs), especially those in Western Europe and North America. It is estimated that close to 80% of older persons over 60 years of age will be from LMICs by 2030. Aging in different institutional, policy, environmental, economic, social, geographical, and cultural contexts can lead to different health outcomes for individuals, particularly populations living in LMICs. Studying aging in these different contexts can help us better understand the mechanisms through which different health outcomes arise and can help advance science in this area. In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), older people in LMICs carry a greater disease burden than those in HICs. Regardless of location, the main contributors of mortality among aging people living in LMICs are heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung disease, while the main causes of disability are sensory impairments, back and neck pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depressive disorders, falls, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. Furthermore, many LMIC populations experience an increased prevalence of multiple morbidities or co-morbidities (defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases within an individual).  

Aging of LMIC populations has also led to an increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRDs). According to the 2018 World Alzheimer's Report, 58% of all people living with AD/ADRD lived in LMICs in 2015. Due to increases in life expectancy and greater burdens of risk factors related to these diseases, the greatest increases in AD/ADRD prevalence will occur in LMICs, where approximately 71% of the global cases will occur by 2050. However, these projections may be confounded by temporal changes, such as shorter survival after dementia, lack of education and awareness, inadequate diagnostic assessment, and variability in costs of care among aging people living with AD/ADRD, all of which could lead to underreporting of AD/ADRD. It is also important to note that most data and evidence for AD/ADRD risk factors as well as prevention and treatment strategies are drawn from research on populations from HICs, which often cannot be extrapolated to LMICs populations.

The projected increase of aging populations and AD/ADRD prevalence in LMICs underscores the importance of developing a strong, coordinated research agenda that will inform strategies to support healthy aging as well as mitigation of AD/ADRD. Confronting this global health issue requires a critical mass of researchers who have the required knowledge of health problems specific to the region and experience to understand the cultural, social, and environmental contexts that influence the prevalence and diagnosis of disease, as well as the effectiveness of prevention and intervention strategies. Strengthening research capacity and capability in LMICs by supporting the next generation of aging and AD/ADRD researchers could help expand research in these countries and fill the gaps in scientific knowledge for the field.   

Purpose  

This NOFO invites R03 applications from institutions in LMICs, as defined by the World Bank, to support junior faculty investigators involved in aging AD/ADRD research. The goals of this NOFO are the following:

1. To support aging and/or AD/ADRD research conducted by junior faculty investigators from institutions in LMICs; and
2. To support the career development of junior faculty investigators from institutions in LMICs as future leaders in aging and AD/ADRD research.  

In support of the program's goals, this NOFO invites applications that will yield pilot data, resources, and experience for subsequent aging and AD/ADRD research projects. In addition, candidates are encouraged to seek out a supportive research environment that will achieve the goal of fostering the career development of junior investigators and, as such, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will consider the extent to which a candidate's environment is supportive of aging and AD/ADRD-focused research.  

In many LMIC institutions there is little support for junior faculty with long-term research training to launch an independent research career due to lack of protected time for research activities and inadequate pilot research project funding opportunities. These awards will be made directly to the LMIC institution and will support junior faculty investigators, defined as those who hold entry to mid-level academic or research scientist positions, including but not limited to instructors, lecturers, and assistant professors within their LMIC institution. Applicants must currently hold an academic junior faculty position or research scientist appointment supported by the applicant's LMIC academic or research institution. Applicant organizations may submit more than one application. However, each application must be scientifically distinct and can have no overlap or dependence on the other submitted application(s).

LMIC junior investigators will be required to collaborate with an experienced or senior investigator from either their LMIC country, the U.S., or another high-income country. Senior investigators should demonstrate expertise in the proposed research area and should also demonstrate expertise in performing research in an LMIC setting.  It is expected that experienced/senior collaborators will be invested in providing guidance to the junior faculty applicant. The level of support from the senior investigator must not exceed 10% or 1.2 calendar months.  

This NOFO utilizes the R03 activity code, which supports small research projects that can be carried out over a period of two years. Examples of types of projects include, but not limited to: (1) pilot or feasibility study; (2) secondary analysis of existing data; (3) small, self-contained research projects; (4) development of research methodology; (5) development of new research technology. A R03 award is not renewable. Prior to submission, LMIC investigators are strongly encouraged to consult with NIH Scientific/Research staff during the concept development stage of the application to determine if an R03 application is appropriate. Projects may span the breadth of scientific domains for aging and AD/ADRD research, including basic, translational, clinical, genetic, or epidemiologic science. Human subjects, animal models, and in vitro systems are all acceptable as appropriate to the research questions. Projects should be appropriate to the background and level of experience of the applicant.  

Research Objectives and/or Scope 

NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend healthy, active years of life. NIA is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer's disease research. NIA promotes strategies to build global aging and AD/ADRD research capacity and supports collaborative research between U.S. scientists and those in other countries, to influence the development of biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social research internationally related to aging and AD/ADRD. NIA also supports the career development of junior investigators to help them establish research programs that will prepare them to assume leadership roles in their field of expertise, poised to influence theory, practice, and health outcomes related to the health of older individuals. This NOFO invites applications from LMIC junior investigators proposing research on current topics in aging or AD and ADRD research.   Studies that draw data from across the lifespan are especially encouraged and applicants are encouraged to factor sex as a biological variable into research designs, analyses, and reporting in their proposed research. Research programs that include vulnerable or under-researched LMIC populations (e.g., women, or indigenous populations) will be strongly encouraged. While research should be relevant to the LMICs, applicants will also be encouraged to review NIA’s Strategic Directions for Research , 2020 – 2025 and the AD/ADRD Research milestones.  

Division of Aging Biology (DAB)

DAB supports research on the molecular, genetic, cellular, and physiological mechanisms underlying aging and age-related changes in humans and other organisms. Interests include basic, applied, and translational research to examine mechanisms of aging that may lead to better identification and understanding of key biological processes related to aging, rates and heterogeneity of aging, and how external factors impact rates of aging. DAB also has a strong interest in research that explores biological heterogeneity as a driver of divergence in health outcomes (health disparities) with aging. The development and application of biomarkers and in vitro models to interrogate mechanisms of aging is also encouraged.

Division of Behavioral and Social Research (DBSR)

DBSR supports social, behavioral, psychological, and economic research on the processes of aging at the individual and population level. In order to facilitate more cross-national research, we encourage pilots or preliminary studies to lay the groundwork for multi-disciplinary national or regional population representative studies of older people harmonized with the HRS International Family of Studies and the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) that might be proposed in a future R01 or R21 grant application. This may involve the following:

• Development of a sampling frame or adaptation of an existing sampling frame.
• Development of skills in probability-based sampling and/or survey data collection.
• Adaptation, translation, and pilot testing of survey instruments at the sub-national or national level.
• Protocols to collect biomarkers.

In addition, secondary data analysis projects on topics including, but not limited to, the following are of interest:

• Examination of how different institutional, policy, environmental, economic, social, geographical, and cultural contexts can lead to different aging and health outcomes across the life course and at older ages, including those related to AD/ADRD. 
• How aging in different international contexts, including the rapidly changing nature of work and changing work lives of older adults, growing income inequality, trends in ageism and discrimination, and climate change mitigates or exacerbates health disparities in aging and AD/ADRD.
• Comparative studies of how differences in institutional and policy features of health care provision and financing influence access, utilization, and health outcomes across the life course and at older ages.
• Comparative dementia and dementia care research in different environmental, economic, social, and cultural contexts.
• Analyses of population-based data to inform improvements in informal and formal caregiving and dementia care.
• How behavioral, social, and biobehavioral risk and protective factors (e.g., educational attainment, work/occupation, personality, social engagement, smoking, obesity, sleep, physical activity, diet, adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic status) influence cognitive decline and AD/ADRD.

The Gateway to Global Aging facilitates cross-national and longitudinal studies of aging using data from the HCAP. This resource provides comparisons of measures across surveys, data downloads to harmonized datasets and codebooks, visualization tools based on the harmonized data, and publications based on surveys. Applicants are encouraged to use data from the HCAP for these analyses as these data have unique features such as data about social and institutional factors. However, applicants may propose using other data sources. If there are gaps in the availability of secondary data to address topics of interest, primary data collection unrelated to the HRS or HCAP may be proposed.

Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (DGCG)

DGCG supports clinical and translational research on health and disease in the aging population, and research on aging over the human life span, including its relationships to health outcomes. DGCG foci include translational research for the development of new interventions for age-related conditions, prevention and treatment of multiple chronic conditions in older adults, and studies that help to promote evidenced-based geriatric care and inform policies affecting older adults.​

Division of Neuroscience (DN)

DN fosters and supports extramural research and training to further the understanding not only of the dementias of older age, but also to further an understanding of the neural and behavioral processes associated with the normally aging brain. An area of special emphasis is brain-behavior relationships. An important component of this division is the support of basic, clinical, and epidemiological studies of AD and related dementias of aging.  Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Studies on descriptive epidemiology and trends (i.e., incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality).
• Studies of novel genetic variants that may have a strong genetic contribution to AD/ADRD biology.
• Studies that examine the association of highly prevalent co-morbidities (e.g., cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, dyslipidemia, peripheral arterial disease), cognitive impairment, and AD/ADRD phenotypes.
• The role of early life co-morbidities such as childhood infections and diseases prevalent in LMICs.
• Environmental exposures including environmental toxicants, air pollution, and diet  
• The role of infectious agents, including COVID-19 in cognitive impairment and AD/ADRD.
• Etiology of age-related AD/ADRD subtypes.
• Genetic and other -omics data, including, but not limited to, APOE status, genome-wide association study or whole sequencing, epigenetics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics.
• Neurobiological and Neuropathological neuroimaging endpoints including, but not limited to, the use of novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligands; cerebrospinal fluid, or blood-based biomarkers such as beta-amyloid, tau, and neurofilament; and autopsy tissue when possible.
• Physiology and other co-morbidities including, but not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other vascular contributions to cognitive impairment (VCID); stress measures (e.g., autonomic, cortisol); role of inflammation or immune systems; and mental health history.
• Identification of underlying mechanisms of resilience (e.g., protective genotypes of cognitive reserve).
• Development of accessible low-cost tools for diagnosis of AD/ADRD.  
• Linguistic markers of AD/ADRD in different populations and different languages. 

Annual Investigator Meeting

Investigators are expected to participate in an annual (virtual or in-person) Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) meeting. The first meeting will be held after the first Notice of Awards are issued. The meeting is expected to last up to two days. The annual meeting will provide a forum for investigators to discuss research updates, identify opportunities for synergy and collaboration across projects (e.g., data harmonization, protocol optimization), and identify pertinent research challenges and solutions. NIA Program Officials and Project Scientists will organize annual meetings in coordination with investigators and develop the agenda with input from the funded research teams. Applicants should include funds to support travel to the meeting in their yearly budget. 

Non-responsiveness Criteria

The following types of applications will be considered non-responsive and will be withdrawn prior to review:

• Applications that do not propose research related to aging or, AD, and/or ADRD.
• Applications from high-income countries, as defined by the World Bank.
• Applications from established and/or senior investigators.
• Applications which do not include a senior investigator as a collaborator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Responses to frequently asked questions about this NOFO will be posted here.

Resources for Applicants

Applicants are encouraged to leverage existing NIH and NIA-supported infrastructure, such as the following:

• Human, Health and Hereditary in Africa (H3Africa)
• Harnessing Data Science of Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DSI-Africa)
• Global Environmental and Occupational Health program (GEOHealth)
• HRS International Family of Studies and the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol
• Before You Apply for a Global Aging Behavioral and Social Research Project
• Frequently Asked Questions for Global Aging Applications in the Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Gateway to Global Aging
• Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers
• Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project
• NIA’s Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Data

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Section II. Award Information

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Higher Education Institutions

• Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
• Private Institutions of Higher Education

The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for NIH support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:

• Hispanic-serving Institutions
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
• Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

For-Profit Organizations

• Small Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)

Local Governments

• State Governments
• County Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)

Federal Governments

• Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
• U.S. Territory or Possession

Other

• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
• Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
• Regional Organizations
• Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. 

Applicant Organizations

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
  • NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) - A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.gov registrations; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))

All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account.  PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with their organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019 and Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity, NOT-OD-20-031.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Eligibility is limited to LMIC junior investigators, defined as those who hold entry to mid-level academic or research scientist positions, including, but not limited to, instructors, lecturers and assistant professors within their LMIC institution. 

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2 Definition of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time, per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application. This means that the NIH will not accept:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications).

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the Research (R) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Letter of Intent

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

• Descriptive title of proposed activity
• Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institution(s)
• Number and title of this funding opportunity

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Damali Martin, Ph.D., MPH 
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-802-4310 
Email: [email protected]

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the How to Apply – Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

The following section supplements the instructions found in the How to Apply – Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO.

SF424(R&R) Cover

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

SF424(R&R) Other Project Information

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Facilities & Other Resources attachment: While this R03 award supports research rather than career development activities, applicants are strongly encouraged to include a section titled "Evidence of a Supportive Environment" that describes an individualized Professional Development Plan supported by non-R03 sources. This plan would provide for cultivating and garnering resources, activities, collaborations, and/or didactic or practical experiences concurrent with the R03 research project that will 1) lead to enhanced knowledge and skills in aging, AD, and/or ADRD science, and 2) increase the applicant's likelihood of successful completion of their proposed project. This section is limited to 5 pages within the Facilities & Other Resources attachment.

The elements of a Professional Development Plan may differ for each applicant based on career stage, research experience, institutional resources, or other factors. Applicants are encouraged to tailor their plans to meet their individual professional development needs in relation to their proposed project. Moreover, applicants are encouraged to describe specific activities that will augment their skills in aging, AD, and/or ADRD research in order to develop into independent researchers. Applicants may describe plans to seek support for their professional development plans through independent funding or institutional commitment. Based on their individual factors, applicants may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

• Coursework, which may or may not lead to an additional degree.
• Professional milestones such as publications, presentations, abstracts, or grant applications.
• Participation in local or institutional research-related activities such as specialty clinics, journal clubs, grand rounds, or other relevant educational experiences.
• Didactic or practical experience with senior collaborators who have expertise in aging, AD, and /or ADRD science or other fields complementary to the candidate's background.

SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Applicants must include an experienced senior collaborator. Experienced senior collaborators may be from an institute within a LMIC or HIC, should demonstrate expertise in the proposed research area, and should also demonstrate expertise in performing research in an LMIC setting. The research expertise as well as the experienced senior collaborators' expertise in performing research in a LMIC setting should be demonstrated in the biographical sketch. It is expected that experienced senior collaborators will be invested in providing guidance to the junior faculty applicant. The level of support from the senior investigator must not exceed 10% or 1.2 calendar months. 

Applicants must use the biographical sketch of the principal investigator to illustrate how this award will advance the investigator's career in aging, AD, and ADRD research. Applicants must use biographical sketches of all investigators to illustrate complementary and integrated expertise in aging, AD, and ADRD among the research team, and the appropriateness of each person's role to advance the specific aims of the project.

R&R or Modular Budget

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

R&R Subaward Budget

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

PHS 398 Research Plan

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

Research Strategy: In accordance with the goals of this program, the Research Strategy should emphasize how the candidate's proposed research will advance the understanding of aging, AD, and/or ADRD in the candidate’s specialty/discipline, as well as facilitate the candidate’s transition to future research independence in the field.

Letters of Support: Letters of support from department or division chairs, other institutional leaders, senior collaborators, and other contributors should describe, where appropriate, the following:

• Support from the applicant's institution, department, or division for the applicant's successful completion of the proposed research project. Scientific roles of senior collaborator(s) or other contributors to the applicant's professional development.

Letters of support associated with a Professional Development Plan, if included, must be placed in the Letters of Support section. 

Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

Other Plan(s): 

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

• All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan. All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan.

Appendix: Only limited Appendix materials are allowed. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

• No publications or other material, with the exception of blank questionnaires or blank surveys, may be included in the Appendix.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply - Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:

If you answered “Yes” to the question “Are Human Subjects Involved?” on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Onset Study record.

Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Delayed Onset Study

Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

PHS Assignment Request Form

All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.

Foreign Organizations

Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations must follow policies described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and procedures for foreign organizations described throughout the How to Apply Application Guide.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

See Part 2. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov

4. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.

Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies). Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time.  If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the How to Apply – Application Guide.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7.9.1 Selected Items of Cost.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply – Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.

Important reminders:

All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH. See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements.

The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the How to Apply - Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by NIA, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

In order to expedite review, applicants are requested to notify the NIA Referral Office by email at [email protected] when the application has been submitted. Please include the FON and title, PD/PI name, and title of the application.

Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.

Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at [email protected]. 

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.  Applications submitted to the NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

For this particular NOFO, note the following:

The R03 small grant supports discrete, well-defined projects that realistically can be completed in two years and that require limited levels of funding. Because the research project usually is limited, an R03 grant application may not contain extensive detail or discussion. Accordingly, reviewers should evaluate the conceptual framework and general approach to the problem. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required, particularly in applications proposing pilot or feasibility studies.

Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by NIA, in accordance with NIH peer review policies and practices, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will receive a written critique.

Applications may undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.

Appeals of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted in response to this NOFO.

Applications will be assigned to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this NOFO. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the National Advisory Council on Aging. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures. This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.

Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant’s federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov.  NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 2 CFR Part 200.206 “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”  This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient’s business official.

In accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.

Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk.  For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see Award Process.

Institutional Review Board or Independent Ethics Committee Approval: Recipient institutions must ensure that protocols are reviewed by their IRB or IEC. To help ensure the safety of participants enrolled in NIH-funded studies, the recipient must provide NIH copies of documents related to all major changes in the status of ongoing protocols.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:

• The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Recipients, and Activities.
• If a recipient receives an award, the recipient must follow all applicable nondiscrimination laws. The recipient agrees to this when registering in SAM.gov. The recipient must also submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690). To learn more, see the Laws and Regulations Enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights website. 
  • HHS recognizes that NIH research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research. For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this NOFO.

All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.  NIH may terminate awards under certain circumstances.  See 2 CFR Part 200.340 Termination and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.5.2 Remedies for Noncompliance or Enforcement Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Withholding of Support. 

Not Applicable

3. Data Management and Sharing

Consistent with the 2023 NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, when data management and sharing is applicable to the award, recipients will be required to adhere to the Data Management and Sharing requirements as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Upon the approval of a Data Management and Sharing Plan, it is required for recipients to implement the plan as described.

4. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.4.1 Reporting. To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting.

A final RPPR, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.6 Closeout. NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 2 CFR Part 200.301.

In carrying out its stewardship of this NOFO, the NIH or its Institutes and Centers may request information essential to an assessment of the effectiveness of this program from the participants (junior investigators, experienced senior collaborators and others as determined). Participants may be contacted during and after the completion of this award for periodic updates on various aspects of their career advancement, publications, support from research grants or contracts, honors and awards, professional activities, and other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program. NIH and its ICs will use this information to determine overall success in building sustainable, independently resourced aging, AD and/or ADRD research capacity at the LMIC institution. 

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

eRA Service Desk (Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues)

Finding Help Online: https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources)
Email: [email protected] (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-480-7075

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]

Scientific/Research Contacts:

Maryam Ghaleh, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: [email protected]

Damali Martin, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Division of Neuroscience
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: [email protected]

Minki Chatterji, Ph.D.
Division of Behavioral and Social Research
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: [email protected] 

Basil Eldadah, M.D., Ph.D.
Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: [email protected] 

Stacy Carrington-Lawrence, Ph.D.
Division of Aging Biology
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Email: [email protected]

Examine your eRA Commons account for review assignment and contact information (information appears two weeks after the submission due date).

Jeni Smits
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Phone: (301) 827-4020
Email: [email protected]

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.