Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 21 019
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), issued this discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-21-019) to support Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) under the P30 center grant mechanism, with clinical trials not allowed under this announcement. ADRCs are meant to function as major, multidisciplinary hubs for research on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). The overall purpose is to strengthen discovery about disease causes and progression, while also improving real-world approaches to prevention, diagnosis, care, and therapy. A central expectation is that these centers do more than run isolated projects: they build shared infrastructure, generate and distribute common resources, and coordinate closely with other NIH-funded programs and investigators to accelerate dementia-relevant research.
This FOA emphasizes the ADRC role as a collaborative, resource-building enterprise. In practice, that means creating and maintaining shared cores, data and specimen resources, and other research-enabling capabilities that can support multiple investigators and studies focused on AD/ADRD. The announcement highlights that NIA-designated ADRCs contribute substantially to shared resources for the broader research community, positioning the centers as regional or national anchors for dementia research capacity, standardized approaches, and coordinated scientific effort. Because it is labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” applications must be structured so that proposed activities do not include NIH-defined clinical trials, even if the work involves human participants in observational or non-interventional ways consistent with NIH policy for non-trial research.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those fall under their own category); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types 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, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Foreign participation is limited in a specific way. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain foreign elements in the project when justified and compliant with NIH rules, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.
Key administrative details from the source listing include the activity category of Health and the CFDA number 93.866. The opportunity was created on 2020-03-11, with an original closing date of 2020-09-15. The listed award ceiling is $2,000,000. The source record does not specify the number of expected awards. Overall, the FOA is aimed at sustaining or building high-impact Alzheimer’s research centers that serve as shared-resource engines and coordination points for the AD/ADRD scientific community, while staying within the non-clinical-trial scope required by the announcement.Apply for RFA AG 21 019
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alzheimers Disease Research Centers (P30 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 2020-03-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-15. (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 $2,000,000.00 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)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), issued through the National Institute on Aging (NIA). It is identified as Funding Opportunity Number (FON) RFA-AG-21-019 and supports Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) under the P30 center grant mechanism.
What is the main purpose of RFA-AG-21-019?
The purpose is to support ADRCs as major, multidisciplinary hubs for research on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). The FOA emphasizes strengthening discovery about disease causes and progression and improving real-world approaches to prevention, diagnosis, care, and therapy.
What is an ADRC expected to do under this FOA?
ADRCs are expected to function as collaborative, resource-building centers rather than collections of isolated projects. A central expectation is that centers build shared infrastructure, generate and distribute common resources, and coordinate closely with other NIH-funded programs and investigators to accelerate dementia-relevant research.
What does it mean that ADRCs should not be “isolated projects”?
It means the FOA expects the center to act as a coordinated enterprise that supports multiple investigators and studies. The emphasis is on shared cores and broadly useful resources (such as data and specimen resources) and on collaboration and coordination across programs, rather than independent efforts that do not connect to a wider research ecosystem.
What kinds of resources and infrastructure are emphasized?
The FOA highlights creating and maintaining shared cores, data resources, specimen resources, and other research-enabling capabilities that can support multiple investigators and studies focused on AD/ADRD.
How do NIA-designated ADRCs contribute to the broader research community?
The announcement states that NIA-designated ADRCs contribute substantially to shared resources for the broader research community. They are positioned as regional or national anchors for dementia research capacity, standardized approaches, and coordinated scientific effort.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. This FOA is labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” meaning applications must be structured so that proposed activities do not include NIH-defined clinical trials.
If clinical trials are not allowed, can the project still involve human participants?
Yes, the description indicates work may involve human participants in observational or non-interventional ways that are consistent with NIH policy for non-trial research. However, the activities must not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
What grant mechanism is used for this program?
The FOA uses the P30 center grant mechanism to support Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs).
What topic area/category is this opportunity listed under?
The activity category is Health.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.866.
Who can apply (general eligibility)?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Examples listed include various levels of government, educational institutions, tribal entities, nonprofits, and businesses (including small businesses).
Which government entities are eligible to apply?
Eligible government applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Are school districts eligible applicants?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments are also listed as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicant types.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly called out as eligible applicant types.
Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible applicants, as long as they are not institutions of higher education (since those fall under their own category in the eligibility list).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are included in the eligibility list.
Are serving institutions (HBCUs, HSIs, TCCUs, etc.) mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are eligible federal agencies able to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly listed among eligible applicant types.
Can a foreign (non-U.S.) organization apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization under this opportunity.
Can a U.S. applicant include foreign components in the project?
Yes. While foreign institutions cannot be the primary applicant, “foreign components” are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, when justified and compliant with NIH rules.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $2,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
The source record does not specify the number of expected awards.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2020-03-11, and the original closing date listed is 2020-09-15.
What is the overall “big picture” goal for funded centers?
The FOA aims to sustain or build high-impact Alzheimer’s research centers that serve as shared-resource engines and coordination points for the AD/ADRD scientific community, while remaining within the non-clinical-trial scope required by the announcement.
What is a key compliance consideration applicants should keep in mind?
A key requirement is aligning the proposed activities with the “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” designation. Applications must be structured so the work does not include NIH-defined clinical trials, even if human-participant research is proposed in observational or non-interventional forms consistent with NIH non-trial policies.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Previous opportunity: Receiving Digital TV Broadcasts
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 21 019
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA AG 21 019) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Partnerships for Countermeasures against Select Pathogens (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 20 028 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| Defining Lineage Plasticity and Endogenous Regeneration Capacity of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissues (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DE 20 006 Funding Number: RFA DE 20 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Investigator Initiated Extended Clinical Trial (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 20 139 Funding Number: PAR 20 139 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Defining Lineage Plasticity and Endogenous Regeneration Capacity of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissues (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DE 20 007 Funding Number: RFA DE 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Center of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Integrative Health (P01,Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 138 Funding Number: PAR 20 138 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Formative and Pilot Intervention Research for Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 20 141 Funding Number: PA 20 141 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Novel Synthetic Nucleic Acid Technology Development (R21 Clinical Trial not allowed) Apply for RFA HG 20 015 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Novel Synthetic Nucleic Acid Technology Development (R01 Clinical Trial not allowed) Apply for RFA HG 20 014 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Novel Synthetic Nucleic Acid Technology Development (R43/R44)( Clinical Trial not allowed) Apply for RFA HG 20 016 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 20 007 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Methods and Analysis for Populations of Diverse Ancestry Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 20 001 Funding Number: RFA HG 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Special Topic Research Education Course: Exploring Auditory and Vestibular Biology (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DC 20 001 Funding Number: RFA DC 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Long Acting Treatments for HIV and HIV-Associated Co-Infections (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 20 024 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIMHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 150 Funding Number: PAR 20 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Tuberculosis Research Units (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 20 020 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 152 Funding Number: PAR 20 152 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials of Complementary and Integrative Interventions Delivered Remotely or via mHealth (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 20 154 Funding Number: PAR 20 154 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 153 Funding Number: PAR 20 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Translational Bioinformatics Approaches to Advance Drug Repositioning and Combination Therapy Development for Alzheimers Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 156 Funding Number: PAR 20 156 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 157 Funding Number: PAR 20 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 21 019", 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.