Addressing Unmet Needs in Persons with Dementia to Decrease Behavioral Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life (R21) | PA 17 013

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 013

The grant opportunity titled "Addressing Unmet Needs in Persons with Dementia to Decrease Behavioral Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 17 013) is a discretionary NIH research grant designed to spark early-stage clinical research focused on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (often abbreviated as BPSD). The central idea behind the announcement is that many challenging behaviors and psychological symptoms in dementia such as agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, wandering, sleep disruption, hallucinations, or repetitive vocalizations may be linked to unmet needs that are physical, social, or environmental in nature. This FOA encourages studies that examine those links and test approaches that identify and address unmet needs as a way to reduce BPSD and ultimately improve quality of life for people living with dementia.

The purpose is not simply to describe BPSD, but to stimulate clinical research that digs into why these symptoms emerge and how modifiable factors can be targeted. In practical terms, the announcement supports research that connects symptom expression with potential unmet needs, for example unmanaged pain or discomfort, sensory impairments, medication side effects, dehydration or hunger, poor sleep, lack of meaningful activity, loneliness or social isolation, caregiver communication challenges, overstimulating or understimulating environments, and other context-driven triggers. The emphasis on physical, social, and environmental needs signals strong interest in nonpharmacologic or care-delivery interventions, assessment strategies, and real-world approaches that can be applied in homes, community settings, assisted living, nursing homes, or clinical care environments.

This FOA uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically used for exploratory or developmental projects where investigators are proposing innovative concepts, early testing, or proof-of-concept work that can generate data to justify a larger future trial. The listing shows an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating an upper limit on the total amount that can be requested under the opportunity as presented in the source data. The funding activity category is listed as Education and Health, and the CFDA number is 93.361, placing it within NIH's broader portfolio of health research support.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with and 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 explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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). This wide eligibility suggests NIH was aiming to encourage participation from diverse institutions and care settings, including those serving populations that are sometimes underrepresented in clinical research.

Administration is through the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity record indicates it was created on 2016-10-18 and lists an original closing date of 2018-01-24. While the source data shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, the intent of the program is clearly to support a set of exploratory clinical projects that can move the field toward practical, needs-based strategies for reducing BPSD and improving day-to-day outcomes for people living with dementia and, by extension, potentially easing caregiver burden and improving care experiences.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Addressing Unmet Needs in Persons with Dementia to Decrease Behavioral Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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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