NIA Renewal and Revision Cooperative Agreements in AD/ADRD Research (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 077

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 077

The NIA Renewal and Revision Cooperative Agreements in AD/ADRD Research (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-22-077) is a National Institutes of Health program designed specifically for organizations that already hold an active, funded U54 Specialized Center cooperative agreement in Alzheimers disease (AD) and Alzheimers disease-related dementias (ADRD). Rather than supporting brand-new U54 centers, this announcement focuses on continued investment in established centers by allowing renewal applications (to extend and build on an existing center) and competing revision applications (to propose substantial, peer-reviewed changes or expansions to the currently funded scope). Resubmissions of those renewal or revision applications are also allowed. The overall intent is to sustain and evolve large, complex research efforts that are organized around a shared, clearly defined scientific question or set of tightly linked questions that are directly relevant to AD/ADRD.

A defining feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on scale, integration, and coordination. The U54 mechanism supports specialized center-style projects with multiple, highly integrated components, which may include several projects and cores that rely on one another in a coordinated way. NIA anticipates that applicants will bring together multidisciplinary teams, either within a single institution or across a consortium of institutions, to address complex AD/ADRD challenges that cannot be handled well by a single-lab or single-project structure. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH program staff typically have substantial involvement compared with a standard research grant, which often translates into more active collaboration, shared expectations for progress, and closer alignment with program priorities.

The research supported under this FOA is expected to contribute to one or more AD/ADRD implementation research milestones that advance the goals of the National Plan to Address Alzheimers and Related Dementias. In practical terms, this means projects should be framed with a strong line of sight to milestone-driven progress, such as evidence generation that improves real-world uptake of effective interventions, diagnostics, care models, or public health strategies related to AD/ADRD. While the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose clinical trials if they are appropriate for the center's aims, but they are not required to do so.

Eligibility is broad in the sense that many types of U.S.-based entities can participate, including state, county, and city governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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 (AANAPISI), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the eligibility rules draw a clear boundary around non-U.S. applicants: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which can enable specific international collaborations when they fit NIH policy requirements and are well-justified scientifically.

Administrative details in the source data indicate this is a discretionary, health-focused funding opportunity under CFDA 93.866, using the cooperative agreement funding instrument. The original closing date listed is February 15, 2024. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which typically means applicants must rely on the full FOA text, NIH institute guidance, and program staff discussions to understand likely budget ranges and award volume for the relevant cycle. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a continuation and strategic expansion pathway for existing NIA-supported U54 AD/ADRD centers that can demonstrate strong progress, propose a coherent next phase, and align tightly with national milestone-driven priorities in AD/ADRD research and implementation.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIA Renewal and Revision Cooperative Agreements in AD/ADRD Research (U54 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 2021-12-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-15. (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 PAR 22 077

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