NIA Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 130

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 130

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting investigator-initiated Program Project Grant (P01) applications under the funding opportunity announcement PAR-22-130, titled "NIA Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)." The opportunity supports large, multi-component research programs that advance scientific areas aligned with NIA's mission, which broadly centers on aging and age-related conditions and processes. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose projects that include clinical trials, but a clinical trial is not required; applicants can submit basic, translational, clinical, behavioral, social, or other aging-relevant research as long as it fits NIA priorities and meets NIH rules for the proposed study type.

A defining feature of this FOA is that each application must be a true program project rather than a collection of loosely related studies. The application is required to include at least three related research projects that are clearly connected by a single central theme, shared focus, and overarching objective. The expectation is that the projects are scientifically integrated and mutually reinforcing, so that the whole program produces a greater impact than the projects would if they were funded and conducted independently. In addition to the research projects themselves, the application must include an administrative core that provides leadership, coordination, and management for the overall program. This core is the organizing hub for governance, communication, milestone tracking, and day-to-day operational oversight across the projects and any other cores that may be proposed.

The FOA also allows revision applications, which are intended for existing P01 awards seeking to expand their scope within the established program theme. A revision application should either add new project(s) or expand existing projects in a way that remains consistent with the parent award's central theme and objectives. Importantly, revision requests cannot extend beyond the current end date of the parent P01 award; the revision must fit within the remaining project period. However, revisions may propose expanding existing cores or creating new cores if those resources are needed to support added or expanded projects, which gives established programs some flexibility to grow their capabilities while staying within the original award timeline.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where applicable); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses, along with other specified entities. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are key limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain elements of work conducted outside the United States if they meet NIH's definition and justification requirements. This distinction matters in practice: the primary applicant institution must be eligible and U.S.-based, but specific, well-justified international collaborations may be included as foreign components when permitted under NIH policy.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.866, and administered by NIH/NIA. The original closing date listed is 2025-09-07, and the FOA was created on 2022-03-10. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should consult the full FOA text and NIH standard budget guidance for the P01 mechanism to understand allowable costs, typical project periods, and any institute-specific budget expectations. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at supporting coordinated, multi-project research programs in aging that are unified by a clear theme, organized through strong program leadership, and capable of delivering integrated scientific advances across several interrelated studies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIA Program Project Applications (P01 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 2022-03-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (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 22 130

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