Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimers Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 19 511

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 19 511

The Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimers Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-MH-19-511) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program aimed at improving scientific understanding of why neuropsychiatric symptoms develop and persist in people living with Alzheimers disease (AD) and Alzheimers disease-related dementias (ADRD). In this context, neuropsychiatric symptoms typically include problems such as agitation, aggression, depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability, sleep and circadian disturbances, delusions, hallucinations, and related behavioral changes that frequently occur alongside cognitive decline. The central purpose of the announcement is to spur research that clarifies the underlying mechanisms driving these symptoms, with the expectation that stronger mechanistic insight will point to new intervention targets, reduce patient and caregiver burden, and potentially guide strategies that prevent NPS from emerging as AD or ADRD progresses.

This FOA emphasizes mechanistic research rather than purely descriptive work. Applicants are encouraged to study both biobehavioral and neurobiological pathways that contribute to NPS. That can include, for example, work linking behavioral symptoms to changes in brain circuits, neurotransmitter systems, neuroinflammation, sleep-wake regulation, stress physiology, or other biological processes, as well as studies connecting symptoms to social, environmental, and caregiving factors that may interact with disease biology. The announcement positions NPS as a major driver of disability, distress, and care complexity in dementia, so research that identifies how and why these symptoms arise is viewed as a practical route to developing better treatments and preventive approaches.

The mechanism for this specific opportunity is the NIH R21, which is designed for exploratory and developmental projects. R21 awards are generally used to support high-risk/high-reward ideas, early-stage testing of novel hypotheses, feasibility work, or innovative analyses that may not yet have extensive preliminary data. The FOA explicitly notes that projects lacking preliminary data, as well as projects that make strong use of existing datasets, may be particularly well suited to the R21 format. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, meaning applicants can propose clinical trial activities if appropriate, but they are not required to do so.

Key administrative details include the activity category of Health and the CFDA number 93.242. The listed award ceiling is $200,000 (as stated in the source data), and the original closing date for applications was March 19, 2019, with the FOA created on September 18, 2018. The companion announcement RFA-MH-19-510 uses the R01 mechanism, which is typically more appropriate for larger, more mature projects with stronger preliminary evidence and a more expansive scope, while this R21 focuses on exploratory work.

Eligibility is broad, reflecting NIH policy and the FOA language. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city or township governments, special districts), education entities (independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education), tribal governments and organizations (federally recognized tribal governments and other than federally recognized tribal organizations), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions in those categories), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups and institution types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). In practical terms, this wide eligibility is intended to encourage diverse research teams and settings, including community-based and underrepresented institutions, which can be especially important for studying NPS across varied populations and care environments.

Overall, the opportunity is structured to accelerate innovative, mechanism-focused dementia research specifically centered on neuropsychiatric symptoms, with the R21 mechanism providing a pathway for testing bold ideas, piloting new approaches, or extracting new mechanistic insights from existing resources. The intended payoff is not only better basic understanding of NPS in AD/ADRD, but also clearer scientific leads for interventions that reduce suffering, ease caregiver strain, and potentially prevent these symptoms from developing or worsening over time.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimers Dementia (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): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-09-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-19. (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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