Dementia Care and Caregiver Support Intervention Research - Stages II - V

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Institute on Aging (NIA), has issued a forecasted funding opportunity titled “Dementia Care and Caregiver Support Intervention Research - Stages II-V.” This initiative reflects NIA’s commitment to advancing aging-related research, specifically focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). The grant aims to support intervention development targeted at enhancing the well-being of individuals living with AD/ADRD as well as their caregivers. This opportunity is intended for applicants who are prepared to pursue NIH Stage Model research projects at Stages II through V. The expectation is that applicants have already completed Stage I developmental activities and are ready to propose interventions that are in a well-developed and testable form. The funding mechanism will utilize the R61/R33 activity code, which supports a milestone-driven planning phase of up to two years, with a possible transition into a clinical trial phase contingent on successful milestone achievement. These milestones are not detailed in the forecast notice but will be critical to progression within the grant's structure. Eligible applicants for this grant include a wide range of organizational types: state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, independent school districts, small businesses, and certain for-profit organizations. This broad eligibility aligns with NIH’s aim to attract a diverse array of research institutions and community-based organizations capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of dementia care and caregiver support. Applications are not currently being accepted; this notice serves to provide advance awareness so potential applicants can begin preparing competitive submissions. The estimated posting date for the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is November 1, 2025, with applications due by February 16, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified of awards by December 1, 2026, which is also the expected start date for funded projects. The grant is not offered on a rolling basis but is expected to recur, with a next cycle anticipated in February 2027 based on standard annual patterns. While no information has yet been released about funding ceilings, floors, or total program funding, the opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.866, which supports aging research. Matching funds are not required for this grant. For further information or questions regarding this funding opportunity, the designated contact is Dr. Melissa Riddle at the National Institute on Aging, reachable via email at melissa-riddle@nih.gov or by phone at 301-480-6761. This forecast allows potential applicants time to establish collaborative partnerships and design meaningful research proposals aligned with the goals of the NIA. Given the specificity of research stage requirements and the NIH milestone structure, applicants are advised to monitor Grants.gov for the formal NOFO release and begin planning accordingly to meet the detailed expectations and timelines.