Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 21 034
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued this discretionary grant opportunity titled "Infectious Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" under funding opportunity number RFA-AG-21-034 (CFDA 93.866). It uses the R01 research project grant mechanism and sits within the health funding activity category. The announcement was created on January 15, 2021, with an original closing date of March 31, 2021. As written in the source information provided, an award ceiling and the expected number of awards were not specified.
The central purpose of this FOA is to support research that directly examines whether infectious agents and related microbial factors may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The program is built around three linked goals. First, it seeks studies that can determine whether microbial pathogens represent a causal component of Alzheimer's disease rather than being merely correlated findings. Second, it encourages work that explains the biological mechanisms by which pathogens could influence neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's, meaning applicants are expected to move beyond detection and into cause-and-effect pathways and disease biology. Third, it aims to generate knowledge that can shape future translational efforts in Alzheimer's disease, including the identification of therapeutic candidates that target or modulate pathogen-associated networks and molecules implicated in Alzheimer's-related pathology.
Because this is described as "Clinical Trial Optional," the FOA allows, but does not require, clinical trial components depending on what is scientifically appropriate for the proposed aims. In practical terms, applicants could propose non-clinical experimental studies, human observational work, or clinical research that fits NIH definitions, as long as the project advances the overarching objectives related to infectious contributors to Alzheimer's and the mechanistic and translational implications of those contributors.
Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types. Eligible applicants include governmental entities (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Academic eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The FOA also welcomes nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly calls out a range of other eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility list signals NIH interest in bringing diverse institutional capabilities and perspectives to the question of whether infections and pathogen-linked biology play meaningful roles in Alzheimer's disease initiation, progression, or heterogeneity.
Overall, the opportunity is aimed at pushing the field toward clearer evidence on causality, stronger mechanistic explanations of how pathogens might affect the brain in ways relevant to Alzheimer's disease, and a more actionable foundation for future therapeutic development focused on pathogen-associated molecular pathways.Apply for RFA AG 21 034
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Infectious Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease (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): 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-31. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the official title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Infectious Etiology of Alzheimer's Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)".
2) What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The FOA number is RFA-AG-21-034.
3) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA 93.866.
4) Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
5) What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
The FOA uses the R01 research project grant mechanism.
6) What is the general funding activity/category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the health funding activity category.
7) When was the announcement created?
The announcement was created on January 15, 2021.
8) What was the original closing date?
The original closing date provided is March 31, 2021.
9) What is the primary purpose of this FOA?
The central purpose is to support research that directly examines whether infectious agents and related microbial factors may contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
10) What are the key scientific goals emphasized by the program?
The FOA is built around three linked goals:
- Causality: Determine whether microbial pathogens are a causal component of Alzheimer's disease rather than merely correlated findings.
- Mechanisms: Explain the biological mechanisms by which pathogens could influence neurodegenerative processes relevant to Alzheimer's disease (moving beyond detection into cause-and-effect pathways and disease biology).
- Translational foundation: Generate knowledge that can shape future translational efforts, including identifying therapeutic candidates that target or modulate pathogen-associated networks and molecules implicated in Alzheimer's-related pathology.
11) Is this FOA only about detecting pathogens in Alzheimer's disease?
No. The FOA emphasizes moving beyond detection toward studies that clarify causality and provide mechanistic explanations for how pathogens could influence Alzheimer's-related neurodegeneration.
12) What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean in this FOA?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means the FOA allows, but does not require, clinical trial components. Applicants may include a clinical trial if it is scientifically appropriate for the proposed aims, but a clinical trial is not mandatory.
13) What kinds of studies are allowed under this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the FOA allows a range of approaches, including:
- Non-clinical experimental studies
- Human observational work
- Clinical research that fits NIH definitions (optional, depending on aims)
The key requirement is that the project advances the overarching objectives related to infectious contributors to Alzheimer's disease and their mechanistic and translational implications.
14) Does the FOA aim to support translational or therapeutic direction-setting research?
Yes. A stated goal is to generate knowledge that can shape future translational efforts, including the identification of therapeutic candidates that target or modulate pathogen-associated networks and molecules implicated in Alzheimer's-related pathology.
15) Is the award ceiling specified?
No. As written in the provided source information, an award ceiling was not specified.
16) Is the expected number of awards specified?
No. As written in the provided source information, the expected number of awards was not specified.
17) Which government organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible government applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
18) Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible academic applicants include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
19) Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA welcomes nonprofit organizations:
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
20) Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and the FOA also lists small businesses as eligible.
21) Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are explicitly included in the eligibility list.
22) Are minority-serving institutions (MSIs) explicitly eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out eligibility for multiple MSIs, including:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
23) Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
24) Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal agencies among the eligible applicant categories.
25) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions.
26) Are tribal governments other than federally recognized entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities.
27) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
28) What broader research direction is NIH signaling with this FOA?
Based on the description provided, NIH is signaling an interest in bringing diverse institutional capabilities and perspectives to clarify whether infections and pathogen-linked biology play meaningful roles in Alzheimer's disease initiation, progression, or heterogeneity, with an emphasis on causality, mechanism, and downstream translational relevance.
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