Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Promote Diversity (R36 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 052

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 052

Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Promote Diversity (R36 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) designed to support dissertation-stage research while also strengthening diversity in the aging-research workforce. The core aim is to provide dissertation awards across the full range of topics that fall within NIA strategic priorities, with an emphasis on building a more diverse community of scientists conducting research on aging and aging-related health conditions. As an R36 mechanism, the focus is on funding work that directly advances a doctoral dissertation, helping trainees complete a rigorous, aging-focused research project and progress toward an independent research career.

The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number PAR-24-052 and is categorized as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity area (CFDA 93.866). It supports research aligned with NIA priorities, which broadly cover biological, clinical, behavioral, social, and population-level dimensions of aging and age-related disease and health outcomes. A key restriction is reflected in the title: clinical trials are not allowed under this NOFO, meaning applications proposing clinical trial activities are not eligible for support through this mechanism.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. Examples include state, county, and local 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that align with the diversity mission, including 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the announcement is clear about what is not allowed with respect to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not permitted. In practical terms, this means the applicant organization and the proposed work must be domestically situated without foreign organizational applicants or foreign project components.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of 2027-01-07 and a creation date of 2023-11-14. The source listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the fields shown, so applicants would typically look to the full NOFO text on NIH systems for budget limits, project period details, and any institute-specific guidance. Overall, this NOFO is best understood as a dissertation-focused aging research funding opportunity intended to help doctoral researchers complete high-quality, NIA-aligned work while supporting the broader goal of diversifying the scientific workforce engaged in aging and aging-related health research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Promote Diversity (R36 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2023-11-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• 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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