Age-related Microbiota Changes and their Implications in Chronic Disease Prevention, Treatment and Progression (R21 Clinical Trial Optional). | PA 18 739

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 739

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Age-related Microbiota Changes and their Implications in Chronic Disease Prevention, Treatment and Progression (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-739) supports exploratory, early-stage research on how the human microbiome changes across the lifespan and how those changes shape health and disease in older adults. The central aim is to better understand the role of the microbiota in aging, with a particular focus on how age-associated shifts in microbial communities may contribute to the prevention, treatment, or progression of chronic diseases. The announcement emphasizes both describing these microbiota changes over time and uncovering the biological mechanisms that explain how microbes interact with the aging host.

Projects supported under this FOA are expected to examine microbiome patterns and dynamics as people grow older, and to connect those patterns to meaningful health outcomes in the elderly. A major priority is research that includes and is relevant to racial and ethnic minority groups and underserved populations, recognizing that social, environmental, dietary, geographic, and health care factors can shape both microbiome composition and chronic disease risk. Applications that address these population differences, or that are designed to improve scientific understanding of health disparities in aging through a microbiome lens, fit squarely within the intent of the program.

The FOA is deliberately broad in terms of acceptable scientific approaches, reflecting the state of the science in microbiome research and aging biology. It allows for basic mechanistic studies that dig into cause-and-effect relationships, as well as preclinical work in animal models used to test hypotheses that are difficult to isolate in humans. At the same time, it also permits human studies, including clinical trials, though a clinical trial is optional rather than required. In practice, this means applicants can propose anything from foundational laboratory experiments that clarify mechanisms, to translational and clinical projects that test microbiome-targeted strategies or interventions, provided the work is aligned with understanding microbiota changes in aging and their relationship to chronic disease.

The mechanism used is the NIH R21, which is typically intended for exploratory and developmental research. This mechanism is commonly used to support innovative ideas, generate preliminary data, test new methods, or establish proof-of-concept for more extensive future studies. The source data indicate an award ceiling of $200,000, which signals that projects should be well-scoped and focused, aiming to answer targeted questions rather than attempting large, multi-year clinical programs. The listing also notes the activity areas as health and education, and includes CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.361, 93.393, and 93.866, reflecting NIH program alignments relevant to the scientific topics covered.

Eligibility is extensive and includes many types of domestic organizations such as state, county, and local governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights a range of "other eligible applicants" that NIH seeks to encourage, 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility reinforces the program's interest in diverse research settings and populations, and supports participation by institutions that may be closely connected to underserved communities.

Key administrative details from the source data include that the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a grant funding instrument. The posting date listed in the source data is April 3, 2018, and the original closing date shown is May 7, 2021. While the closing date suggests that the specific listing may have had a defined submission window, the core concept of the FOA is clearly aimed at advancing microbiome-and-aging research, particularly where it can clarify mechanisms and inform strategies to reduce chronic disease burden in older adults.

Overall, this NIH R21 opportunity is designed to move the field toward a clearer understanding of how microbial ecosystems evolve with age, why those changes matter biologically, and how that knowledge could be used to prevent or better manage chronic diseases in the elderly. It encourages both mechanistic and translational work, values inclusion of underserved and minority populations, and welcomes a wide range of applicant organizations, including community-based and minority-serving institutions as well as foreign entities, to help address microbiome science in aging from multiple perspectives.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Age-related Microbiota Changes and their Implications in Chronic Disease Prevention, Treatment and Progression (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)." and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.361, 93.393, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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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