Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 347

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 347

This NIH funding opportunity (PA-18-347) supports early-stage clinical research under the R21 mechanism to test or refine biobehavioral and technology-based interventions aimed at slowing or reducing cognitive decline in people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or age- or disease-related cognitive changes. The FOA is framed around practical, intervention-focused work that can help individuals maintain independence and functioning for as long as possible, with an emphasis on outcomes that matter in daily life rather than only laboratory-based endpoints.

A central priority is developing and evaluating interventions that are feasible in real-world, community settings. That includes approaches that can be delivered or supported by the individual experiencing cognitive impairment, informal caregivers (such as family and friends), and other community members or community-based organizations, rather than requiring intensive specialty clinic infrastructure. The FOA is therefore well aligned with interventions that can be scaled outside academic medical centers, including programs that fit into homes, senior centers, community health settings, faith-based organizations, and other local service environments.

The opportunity explicitly welcomes research that either tests interventions directly or generates evidence needed to build better interventions. In practice, that can include pilot and feasibility studies, proof-of-concept work, or other exploratory projects typical of the R21 stage. Beyond whether an intervention works, NIH is also interested in studies that examine why and for whom it works. Applicants are encouraged to investigate underlying mechanisms of action and to incorporate biomarkers or other measurable indicators linked to intervention response, which can help identify active ingredients, optimize protocols, and guide later, larger trials.

The FOA’s targeted impacts extend to both people with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. For affected individuals, the desired benefits include preserving independence and quality of life and improving the ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as managing medications, cooking, transportation, finances, and other tasks necessary for living safely and autonomously. For caregivers, the FOA highlights reducing stress, burden, and other negative outcomes that often accompany caregiving, acknowledging that caregiver well-being is tightly linked to patient outcomes and the sustainability of community-based care.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health, listed under CFDA numbers 93.361 and 93.866, and it is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that do or do not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial depending on the research aims. The posted award ceiling is $200,000 (as provided in the source information). Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of U.S. organizations and governments, such as state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses as well as small businesses; and additional entities. The FOA also calls out other eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.

In short, PA-18-347 is designed to spur innovative, community-deployable biobehavioral and technological strategies that can slow cognitive decline and improve everyday functioning, while also building the mechanistic and biomarker evidence needed to strengthen future intervention development and reduce the downstream burden on caregivers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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 PA 18 347

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