New NIA Institutional Training Programs for Aging Research

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced a forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "New NIA Institutional Training Programs for Aging Research." This forecasted opportunity reflects the NIA’s commitment to fostering a highly skilled and specialized workforce in scientific fields aligned with its mission. Through this initiative, the NIA aims to support the creation of new institutional training programs—categorized as Type 1—targeted at predoctoral and/or postdoctoral trainees who will engage in high-priority areas within the broader scope of aging research. Notably, this NOFO explicitly excludes proposals focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as training programs that replicate existing efforts already funded at the applicant institution. The primary objective of this grant is to offset the costs associated with training future leaders in aging research by providing financial support for stipends, tuition and fees, and other training-related expenses, including health insurance. The program seeks to ensure that the supported training programs offer comprehensive and rigorous scientific education. The focus is to develop institutional-level training initiatives that build capacity in underrepresented and strategically significant areas of aging research, strengthening the national research infrastructure for aging-related studies. This grant opportunity is structured under the T32 activity code, a mechanism historically used by NIH to support institutional training programs. While the full NOFO is not yet published, the agency is issuing this forecast well in advance to allow eligible institutions to build partnerships, refine programmatic approaches, and prepare for a competitive submission. The announcement specifically invites applications from a diverse range of organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal organizations, small businesses, and for-profit entities other than small businesses. Applications from programs already receiving similar funding at the institution are discouraged. The funding announcement outlines a timeline in which the estimated publication date of the full NOFO is set for October 1, 2025. The anticipated application due date is May 25, 2026, with awards expected to be made by April 1, 2027. The projected start date for funded training programs is also April 1, 2027. Given the nature of training programs and the NIH’s ongoing support of such initiatives, it is likely that this funding opportunity will recur on a periodic basis, though it is not confirmed in the forecast. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the forecast, and as such, institutions are not expected to provide additional financial contributions to participate in the opportunity. Given the stage of this opportunity—forecast only—no detailed application components, evaluation criteria, or submission portal instructions have been published at this time. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the NIH and Grants.gov websites for the release of the final NOFO and any associated guidance materials. For inquiries, prospective applicants can reach out to Laura Major, DrPH, at the National Institute on Aging’s Division of Extramural Activities via phone at 301-827-4464 or email at [email protected]. These contacts can provide clarification on programmatic scope, eligibility interpretations, and preparation strategies as institutions plan their responses. This advance notice serves to signal NIH’s ongoing priority in investing in the future of aging research through institutional capacity building and workforce training.