Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 24 005
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Interorgan Communication in Aging (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-24-005. This program uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), which typically means NIH staff will have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard research grant. The scientific focus sits within the health research activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.866.
The central goal of the opportunity is to stimulate research that digs into how communication between organs changes with age, why those changes occur at the molecular level, and what downstream effects they have on the body. The solicitation is explicitly aimed at understanding age-related alterations in interorgan signaling and how these shifts contribute to a loss of homeostasis, meaning the body's ability to keep internal systems stable and balanced. By targeting interorgan communication, the program is also trying to explain why aging looks very different from one person to another (the heterogeneity of aging). In practical terms, the research supported through this RFA is meant to clarify the mechanistic links between aging biology and system-wide physiological decline, with an emphasis on signaling pathways, circulating factors, organ-to-organ feedback loops, and other cross-tissue interactions that may either accelerate decline or help preserve function.
This is a "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" opportunity, which means applicants should propose mechanistic and preclinical or non-trial human research approaches rather than projects that meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial. Studies can still involve human biospecimens, observational analyses, or other human-focused research designs as long as they do not cross into clinical trial territory as defined by NIH policy. Because the intent is molecular mechanisms and consequences of altered interorgan communication, strong applications will generally be expected to connect mechanistic biology to measurable outcomes relevant to aging and homeostatic regulation, without proposing an interventional clinical trial.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S.-based applicant types: 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; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also 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 (AANAPISIs). It also notes that faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain eligible federal agencies may apply, which reinforces the intent to encourage a diverse set of institutions to participate in aging biology research.
At the same time, the opportunity includes important restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, described as foreign organizations or foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply directly. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed under the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, meaning a U.S. applicant may be able to include a foreign component in the project when it is scientifically justified and complies with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
Key administrative details provided in the listing include an original closing date of 2023-06-01 and a creation date of 2022-12-12. The award ceiling is listed as $400,000, indicating an upper limit on the amount that may be awarded (often per year, though applicants typically confirm the exact budgeting interpretation in the full FOA and NIH guidance). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, so applicants should expect milestone-driven management, coordination with NIH program staff, and potentially greater emphasis on collaboration, data sharing, and alignment with programmatic goals than in investigator-initiated mechanisms. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided excerpt.
Overall, this RFA is best understood as an NIH aging biology initiative focused on the cross-talk among organs that helps maintain (or destabilizes) whole-body balance over time. It is looking for research that can explain, at a molecular and systems level, how age changes the signals organs send and receive, what those changes do to physiological resilience, and how those processes might help explain why aging trajectories vary so widely across individuals.Apply for RFA AG 24 005
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Interorgan Communication in Aging (U01 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 2022-12-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-01. (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 $400,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Interorgan Communication in Aging (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - RFA-AG-24-005
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary funding opportunity titled "Interorgan Communication in Aging (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) RFA-AG-24-005. It supports research focused on how communication between organs changes with age and what those changes mean for whole-body function.
Which NIH funding mechanism is being used?
The opportunity uses a U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. A U01 typically involves substantial NIH staff involvement during the project period compared with a standard research grant.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (U01)?
A cooperative agreement generally means the project is expected to be managed in a more coordinated, milestone-aware way, with ongoing interaction with NIH program staff. The listing also suggests a stronger emphasis on alignment with program goals, and potentially on collaboration and data sharing, than would be typical for investigator-initiated mechanisms.
What is the scientific focus of the program?
The scientific focus is aging biology, specifically interorgan communication (how organs signal to each other) and how those signaling processes change with age. The research is meant to clarify molecular mechanisms and downstream effects that contribute to system-wide physiological decline and loss of homeostasis (reduced ability to maintain stable internal conditions).
What kinds of biological questions is NIH trying to answer with this RFA?
Based on the description provided, the RFA is aiming to stimulate research that addresses questions such as:
- How does organ-to-organ signaling change across aging?
- Why do these signaling changes occur at the molecular level?
- What downstream effects do altered signals have on whole-body stability and resilience?
- How do altered feedback loops, circulating factors, and signaling pathways contribute to physiological decline or preservation of function?
- Why does aging look different across individuals (heterogeneity of aging), and can interorgan signaling help explain those differences?
What does "interorgan communication" mean in this context?
In this context, interorgan communication refers to cross-talk among tissues and organs, including signaling pathways, circulating factors, and organ-to-organ feedback loops. The RFA emphasizes understanding how these interactions influence whole-body homeostasis as people age.
Why is the concept of homeostasis important in this announcement?
The opportunity is explicitly aimed at understanding how age-related changes in interorgan signaling contribute to a loss of homeostasis, meaning a reduced ability for the body to keep internal systems stable and balanced. The projects supported are expected to connect mechanistic biology to outcomes relevant to homeostatic regulation.
What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for applicants?
"Clinical Trial Not Allowed" means applicants should not propose studies that meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial. The opportunity is positioned toward mechanistic and preclinical research and non-trial human research approaches rather than interventional clinical trials.
Can projects include human research at all?
Yes. The description notes that studies can involve human biospecimens, observational analyses, or other human-focused research designs, as long as the work does not cross into clinical trial territory as defined by NIH policy.
What kinds of approaches are emphasized as a good fit?
Based on the listing, strong applications will generally be expected to link molecular mechanisms of altered interorgan communication to measurable outcomes relevant to aging and homeostatic regulation, while avoiding an interventional clinical trial design.
What is the main purpose of the RFA in practical terms?
In practical terms, the RFA is intended to clarify the mechanistic links between aging biology and system-wide physiological decline, particularly through the lens of organ-to-organ signaling that can either accelerate decline or help preserve function.
What activity area is this opportunity associated with?
The scientific focus sits within the health research activity area.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The listing associates the opportunity with CFDA 93.866.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad and includes many U.S.-based organization types, including:
- 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
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or included?
Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible categories including 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 (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The description notes that faith-based or community-based organizations may apply.
Are U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. The eligibility section notes that U.S. territories or possessions may apply.
Can foreign organizations apply as the primary applicant?
No. The opportunity includes restrictions stating that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, described as foreign organizations or foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply directly.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. The description states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. applicant include a foreign component in the project?
Yes. The text indicates that foreign components are allowed under the NIH Grants Policy Statement definition, when scientifically justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $400,000. The excerpt does not clarify whether this ceiling is per year or total project costs, so applicants typically confirm budget interpretation in the full FOA and NIH guidance.
When was this opportunity created?
The creation date provided is 2022-12-12.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2023-06-01.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information.
What types of outcomes or impacts is NIH hoping for?
The described intent is to improve understanding of how age-related changes in organ-to-organ signaling drive (or protect against) whole-body physiological decline, reduce homeostatic stability, and contribute to the wide variability in aging trajectories observed across individuals.
What are examples of themes explicitly mentioned as relevant?
The description explicitly points to research involving signaling pathways, circulating factors, organ-to-organ feedback loops, and other cross-tissue interactions that may accelerate decline or preserve function.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: BJA FY 23 Adult Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program
Previous opportunity: Bureau of Land Management Utah Plant Conservation and Restoration Management
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA AG 24 005
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA AG 24 005) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Clinical Studies of Mental Illness (Collaborative R01) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 050 Funding Number: PAR 23 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Resources and Workforce Development for the Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (UC7 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 22 075 Funding Number: RFA AI 22 075 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| NIH StrokeNet- Regional Coordinating Stroke Centers for year 2023 (U24 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 010 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| NIH StrokeNet National Coordinating Center for year 2023 (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 009 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| NIH StrokeNet National Data Management Center for year 2023 (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 008 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Research Networks to Promote Multidisciplinary Mechanistic Studies on Music-Based Interventions for Pain or Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AT 23 009 Funding Number: RFA AT 23 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Limited Competition: Renewal of Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (Phase 2) (P20 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 063 Funding Number: PAR 23 063 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Biomedical Research Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 045 Funding Number: PAR 23 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence, Basic Research Program (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 22 070 Funding Number: RFA AI 22 070 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence, Clinical Research Program (UM1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AI 22 071 Funding Number: RFA AI 22 071 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| AHRQ and PCORI Learning Health System Embedded Scientist Training and Research Centers (P30) Apply for RFA HS 23 001 Funding Number: RFA HS 23 001 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pilot Studies for the Spectrum of Alzheimers Disease/Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementias and Age-Related Cognitive Decline (R61 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 083 Funding Number: PAR 23 083 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $325,000 |
| Early and Late Stage Clinical Trials for the Spectrum of Alzheimers Disease/Alzheimers Related Dementias and Age-Related Cognitive Decline (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 081 Funding Number: PAR 23 081 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding the Supply of Professional Dementia Care Providers and Their Decisions (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 24 024 Funding Number: RFA AG 24 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Brain Tissue Resource Center for Alcohol Research (R28 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 068 Funding Number: PAR 23 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAMS Resource-based Centers for Bone, Muscle and Orthopaedic Research (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AR 24 002 Funding Number: RFA AR 24 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIAMS Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Centers (P30 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AR 24 001 Funding Number: RFA AR 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 23 115 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 115 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 23 116 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 116 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| HEAL Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program: Embedded Entrepreneurs for Small Businesses in Pain Management (SB1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 069 Funding Number: PAR 23 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA AG 24 005", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.