Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 22 270

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 22 270

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-22-270; CFDA 93.242) is a discretionary grant program that supports health-related research using the NIH R01 mechanism. The central idea behind the announcement is that most people living with schizophrenia or related disorders are older than 35, whether they were diagnosed earlier in life and are now aging with the illness or are first diagnosed in midlife or later. Even though this mid- to late-life population represents a large share of those affected, the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms that shape how these disorders emerge and change across these later stages of adulthood are still not well understood. This initiative is intended to close that gap by pushing forward translational research that connects basic and clinical science in ways that can explain illness onset, progression, and variability in outcomes in middle-aged and older adults.

The purpose of the program is to improve understanding of both the emergence and the trajectory of schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life, with an emphasis on identifying concrete, measurable targets that could eventually support better prevention strategies and more effective treatments. In practice, that means the NIH is looking for projects that can clarify why symptoms worsen, stabilize, or change form over time, how aging processes and life-stage factors interact with serious mental illness, and which underlying pathways (for example, neurobiological systems, cognition, behavior, medical comorbidities, or environmental and social determinants) are most promising as intervention targets. Because the announcement is "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but clinical trials are not required; strong mechanistic and translational studies that do not involve trials can also fit the intent of the opportunity.

This opportunity uses the grant funding instrument and the R01 activity code, which typically supports substantial, multi-year research projects led by a principal investigator and an established research team. The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes many types of U.S. governmental entities such as state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities (including Indian housing authorities). It also includes a wide range of academic organizations, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility is specifically covered, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, as are for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicants 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), indicating a deliberate effort to welcome diverse institutional settings and research contexts.

Key administrative details included in the source data are that the opportunity was created on 2022-09-19 and had an original closing date of 2023-02-22. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which often means applicants would need to consult the full funding announcement or NIH institute guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and whether there are any limits tied to specific study designs. Overall, the program is aimed at generating clearer, testable explanations for how schizophrenia and related disorders develop and evolve after early adulthood, and at producing the kind of translational evidence needed to point to actionable prevention and treatment targets for midlife and older populations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-09-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for RFA MH 22 270

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