Complex Integrated Multi-Component Projects in Aging Research (U19 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Complex Integrated Multi-Component Projects in Aging Research (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity, announced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through its National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), supports expansive and coordinated research in aging. Initially reissued as PAR-22-213, this opportunity replaces the earlier PAR-19-374 for submissions after January 25, 2023. On May 14, 2025, NINDS officially joined as a participating component, reflecting evolving agency priorities. The program is designed to support complex, integrated projects that necessitate a cooperative agreement structure (U19), enabling substantial collaboration between NIH and project teams. This funding opportunity encourages the formation of large, multi-disciplinary research teams, either from single institutions or consortia, to address broad scientific questions in aging. Projects should integrate multiple cores and components, such as coordinating centers and specialized data or clinical cores, to create cohesive programs around central research questions. Areas of emphasis include aging-related diseases, brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease, multimorbidity, social determinants of health, and geroscience. Applications may propose longitudinal observational studies, multi-site interventions, mechanistic studies in aging, or translation of basic findings into clinical or community settings. Applications must adhere to NIH’s detailed multi-project instructions, requiring multiple components such as an Overall section, an Administrative Core, at least one Research Project, and optional cores. Applicants should demonstrate tight integration across these components and include a unified scientific aim. Prospective applicants are expected to consult with NIA scientific staff at least two to three months prior to submission to confirm alignment with agency priorities. Applications proposing over $500,000 in direct costs in any year require prior approval. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities: higher education institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, tribal governments, state and local governments, public housing authorities, and U.S. federal agencies. Foreign institutions may not apply, though foreign components may be included. The FOA is open to new, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications, and clinical trials are optional. The application timeline follows NIH standard due dates, with the next submission due on May 25, 2025. Letters of intent are due 30 days prior to application deadlines. The final submission deadline for this FOA is September 25, 2025, and the FOA will expire the following day. Awards are expected to be issued based on scientific merit, alignment with NIA’s priorities, and availability of funds, with the earliest start date typically three months following advisory review. Applicants must submit electronically via NIH ASSIST or a system-to-system solution, and must complete multiple federal registrations in advance. Required documentation includes detailed project descriptions, resource sharing plans, and Data Management and Sharing Plans. Review criteria emphasize significance, innovation, investigators’ qualifications, approach, and environment. Applicants are evaluated by scientific review groups and an NIH Advisory Council. For questions, scientific contact Dr. Sanoj Suneja (sunejas@mail.nih.gov, 301-402-7710) and peer review contact Dr. Ramesh Vemuri (ramesh.vemuri@nih.gov, 301-496-9666) are available. Financial inquiries should be directed to Robin Laney (laneyr@mail.nih.gov, 301-496-1473). Comprehensive guidance is provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the NIH Grants Policy Statement.