High Resolution Mapping of Biomolecules in Brain Cells in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 22 019

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 22 019

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "High Resolution Mapping of Biomolecules in Brain Cells in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-22-019) supports research projects that develop and apply new molecular imaging methods to map biomolecules in the brain at very high resolution. The central aim is to generate detailed spatial maps of biomolecules within specific brain cell types and brain regions, and to track how those molecular patterns change across normal aging and the progression of Alzheimers disease. The intent is not general biomarker discovery in the abstract, but rather imaging-driven, location-specific molecular characterization that can clarify what is happening in distinct cellular neighborhoods and anatomical circuits over time.

This announcement uses the R01 grant mechanism, which is designed for discrete, well-defined research projects with clear objectives, milestones, and deliverables. The projects are expected to be tightly scoped and technically focused on "novel molecular imaging approaches" that enable high-resolution mapping. In practical terms, this points to work that pushes imaging and spatial measurement capabilities forward, such as improved spatial resolution, higher molecular specificity, better multiplexing (measuring many biomolecules at once), stronger quantitative accuracy, or more informative integration of imaging data with cell and region identity. Because the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," the proposed studies cannot be structured as clinical trials; the research should remain in the realm of technology development, method validation, and non-clinical-trial human or model-system research as permitted under NIH definitions.

The program sits in the NIH health research category and is associated with CFDA number 93.866, reflecting its placement within NIHs research portfolio related to aging and Alzheimers disease. The overall goal is to enable a more precise understanding of the molecular landscape of the aging and diseased brain by anchoring molecular measurements to the cells and regions where they occur. By emphasizing high-resolution mapping in brain cells and regions, the FOA is seeking tools and approaches that can reveal heterogeneity that is often lost in bulk tissue assays, including differences across cell types, microenvironments, and anatomical structures relevant to Alzheimers pathology.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts, and independent school districts). It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights a wide set of other eligible applicants, including 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 even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). The inclusion of these categories signals an intention to encourage a diverse applicant pool and to make room for cross-sector and international expertise in advanced imaging and neurobiology.

From the funding details provided, the opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant with an award ceiling listed as $500,000, indicating the maximum budget level expected under the announcement (commonly interpreted as a cap on direct costs per year, though the specific budget rules would normally be confirmed in the full FOA text). The FOA was created on June 10, 2021, and the original closing date was October 28, 2021. The listing does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided excerpt, but it does indicate the program was prepared to make awards under this initiative as part of NIHs targeted investment in Alzheimers and aging-related research.

In short, this R01 opportunity is aimed at teams that can bring innovative molecular imaging technology to bear on a hard problem in neurodegeneration: precisely where and in which cell types key biomolecules appear, change, and interact as the brain ages and as Alzheimers disease develops. The outcome NIH is looking for is not just better pictures, but actionable, high-resolution molecular maps that can deepen mechanistic understanding of disease processes and improve the research communitys ability to study aging and Alzheimers at the level of cells, circuits, and brain regions.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "High Resolution Mapping of Biomolecules in Brain Cells in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (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 2021-06-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-28. (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 $500,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA AG 22 019

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