Resource-Related Research Projects Cooperative Agreements in Aging and/or Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), has announced a forthcoming funding opportunity aimed at advancing research infrastructure in the fields of aging, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD). This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), designated PAR-25-462, forecasts the availability of cooperative agreements under the U24 activity code. These awards are intended to support large-scale, resource-related research programs that align with NIA’s mission. The program invites new, renewal, and revision applications—along with resubmissions—of U24 Research Resource/Infrastructure cooperative agreements. The target research areas must focus on complex, team-based efforts that could originate from a single institution or a consortium, and must specifically contribute to the national aging research infrastructure. The NIA's focus is on advancing knowledge and resources necessary to support innovative aging research and to enhance the understanding and treatment of AD/ADRD. Funded projects are expected to strengthen and expand capabilities within the scientific community through the provision of centralized resources, data-sharing platforms, and other tools that enable cutting-edge research. The scope of funding under this NOFO is restricted to cooperative agreements that offer large-scale infrastructure, rather than individual research studies or pilot projects. Renewals or revisions submitted under this NOFO must conform strictly to the requirements of the original NOFO under which they were initially funded. Interested applicants are urged to carefully assess their project's alignment with NIA’s programmatic priorities. Although this opportunity is currently in forecast status and not yet open for application, the NIA has provided early notice to give potential applicants adequate time to develop proposals and foster collaborations. The estimated post date is April 25, 2026, with a forecasted application due date of June 26, 2026. Award notifications are expected by April 30, 2027, which is also the anticipated project start date. It is important to note that this opportunity is part of the fiscal year 2027 funding cycle. The NIA expects to fund only a limited number of high-merit applications, highlighting the competitiveness and selectivity of the program. Consultation with NIH staff is strongly recommended for all interested applicants, especially to confirm the responsiveness of their proposed research to this specific NOFO and its relevance to broader NIA objectives. Applicants are advised to contact NIA program staff via the provided email address, [email protected], to discuss their concepts and determine their suitability for submission. The use of the U24 activity code denotes a cooperative agreement that involves substantial NIH scientific or programmatic involvement, making early engagement with NIH staff essential. At this time, the opportunity has no confirmed funding ceiling, floor, or total program funding figures. Likewise, no cost-sharing or matching is required. Eligible applicants include a wide array of institutions such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Native American tribal entities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), public housing authorities, and for-profit organizations including small businesses. Eligibility also extends to U.S. territories, regional organizations, and federal agencies. This inclusivity underscores the NIA’s intent to draw upon diverse institutional expertise and infrastructure capabilities to enhance the nation's research capacity in aging and dementia studies. The grant submission process will be conducted via Grants.gov, in accordance with standard NIH procedures. Applicants are advised to begin preparations early, ensuring all institutional registrations and required documentation are in place ahead of the estimated post date. As this is a forecasted opportunity, further specifics about submission forms, review criteria, and proposal components will be provided upon release of the final NOFO. Applicants should monitor Grants.gov and NIH updates closely to remain informed as the formal solicitation approaches.