Noncoding RNAs in Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 23 010

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 23 010

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the grant opportunity "Noncoding RNAs in Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-23-010. It is a discretionary research grant using the R01 mechanism in the health funding category (CFDA 93.866). The central aim is to push the field forward on how noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) influence Alzheimers disease and Alzheimers disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), with a strong emphasis on clarifying whether specific ncRNAs are causal drivers, downstream consequences, or part of feedback loops that shape disease onset and progression.

Scientifically, the FOA is focused on encouraging studies that go beyond cataloging ncRNA changes and instead dig into causality, directionality, and mechanism. That means applicants are expected to propose work that can explain how ncRNAs act at molecular and cellular levels in the brain and other relevant tissues, and how those actions relate to AD/ADRD pathology. Projects are expected to uncover novel ncRNA-mediated mechanisms, define functional roles for ncRNAs in disease pathways, and explore the therapeutic potential of ncRNAs, such as whether targeting certain ncRNAs could modify disease biology. In practice, this can include work on different ncRNA classes (for example microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs, and other regulatory RNA species), and may involve mechanistic experiments in cell systems, animal models, or analyses of well-characterized human samples, as long as the proposed studies are aligned with the goal of understanding function and mechanism rather than purely descriptive profiling.

A key administrative boundary is stated directly in the title: clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. In other words, the program is intended for preclinical, mechanistic, and translational discovery research rather than testing interventions in human participants in a clinical trial framework. Applicants need to shape their aims accordingly, focusing on foundational biology, target discovery and validation, mechanistic pathway work, biomarker-related mechanistic studies, and other non-trial approaches that still meaningfully inform therapeutic development.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations. Standard eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township, and 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (when not operating as institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as 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, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility is meant to widen participation and encourage diverse institutional contributions to AD/ADRD ncRNA research.

From the timeline information provided, the opportunity was created on 2022-02-28 and had an original closing date of 2022-07-15. The source data you shared does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically need to consult the full NIH announcement or related program materials for details on budget expectations, project period, and the anticipated funding level. Overall, this FOA is aimed at teams that can connect ncRNA biology to concrete AD/ADRD mechanisms, demonstrate rigorous approaches for establishing causal relationships, and lay credible groundwork for ncRNA-informed therapeutic strategies without conducting a clinical trial.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Noncoding RNAs in Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (R01 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 2022-02-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-15. (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 RFA AG 23 010

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