Regulation of Brain Regional and Cell Type Specific Proteome Dynamics in Alzheimers Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 20 042

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title and identifier of this NIH funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Regulation of Brain Regional and Cell Type Specific Proteome Dynamics in Alzheimers Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is identified as RFA-AG-20-042.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The goal is to support research projects that explain how proteome-level changes in Alzheimers disease are regulated across different brain regions and specific cell types. The focus is on understanding mechanisms that drive vulnerability or resilience in distinct neural and non-neural cell populations and in anatomically defined brain areas.

What scientific topic does the FOA emphasize?

The scientific emphasis is on proteome dynamics in Alzheimers disease, including how protein expression, modification, turnover, and other proteome-level changes are regulated in a brain-region- and cell-type-specific manner.

Does this opportunity support measuring static protein levels, or is it focused on changes over time?

The FOA emphasizes proteome dynamics rather than static protein measurements. In other words, it prioritizes studies that investigate how proteins change (including regulation, modification, and turnover) rather than only cataloging protein abundance at a single time point.

Why does the FOA focus on brain region- and cell-type-resolved proteomics?

By focusing on proteomics that is resolved by both brain anatomy and cellular identity, the FOA aims to advance understanding of why Alzheimers pathology and neurodegeneration progress differently across neural circuits and cell classes.

What kinds of insights is this FOA intended to produce?

The FOA is positioned to reveal mechanisms that drive vulnerability or resilience in specific cell populations and brain regions, and to identify protein networks or regulatory pathways that could suggest new therapeutic angles or biomarkers.

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism.

Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?

No. The FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means applicants are expected to propose basic, translational, or mechanistic studies that do not include prospective assignment of human participants to interventions to evaluate health outcomes.

What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for proposed studies?

It means the application should not propose a study design that prospectively assigns human participants to an intervention (for example, a drug, device, procedure, or behavioral condition) in order to evaluate health-related outcomes. The FOA expects non-clinical-trial research such as basic, translational, or mechanistic work within that constraint.

Which NIH institute mission area is this aligned with?

The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health and is aligned with the National Institute on Aging mission area.

What is the funding instrument and activity category?

The funding instrument is a grant, and it is listed under the health activity category.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.866.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is stated as $750,000.

What does the stated award ceiling suggest about project scope?

Based on the FOA description, the $750,000 award ceiling signals support for substantial, multi-year projects that may require advanced proteomics platforms, sophisticated experimental designs, and integrative computational analyses.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

A wide range of organizations are eligible, including various government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as additional categories highlighted in the FOA.

Are government entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments.

Are independent school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

Are public institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are eligible.

Are private institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Private institutions of higher education are eligible.

Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments are also included.

Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories as specified in the FOA description provided.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also explicitly listed as eligible.

Are institutions that serve underrepresented communities specifically mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other specified categories.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed among additional eligible applicants.

Are regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations are included in the list of additional eligible applicants.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among additional eligible applicants.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly notes that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible, allowing participation from international research groups.

Are eligible federal agencies included as potential applicants?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are mentioned among the additional eligible applicants.

What is the original closing date for this FOA?

The original closing date is October 23, 2019.

What is the creation date of this FOA?

The creation date is June 26, 2019.

What overall research approach does the FOA encourage?

The FOA centers on innovative, high-resolution approaches to map and explain proteome changes in Alzheimers disease in ways that are sensitive to brain anatomy (region) and cellular identity (cell type), while staying within the non-clinical-trial scope of an R01 award.

What is meant by "proteome dynamics" in the context of this FOA?

Within the information provided, proteome dynamics refers to regulated changes at the proteome level, including protein expression, post-translational modification, protein turnover, and other proteome-level shifts that can vary by brain region and cell type in Alzheimers disease.

How does this FOA connect proteomics to disease progression in Alzheimers?

The FOA is designed to help explain why Alzheimers pathology and neurodegeneration progress differently across circuits and cell classes by studying region- and cell-type-resolved proteome changes and their regulatory mechanisms.