Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 219

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 219

The Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-25-219) is an NIH grant program designed to support the development of new or significantly improved research infrastructure that can push aging science forward in areas where progress depends on interdisciplinary collaboration. The emphasis is not simply on funding another individual research project, but on building or advancing shared capabilities, platforms, tools, resources, networks, or other infrastructure that multiple investigators or disciplines can use to answer important questions in aging. The intent is to strengthen the field by enabling partnerships across different scientific domains, which is often necessary in aging research where biological, clinical, behavioral, social, and environmental factors intersect.

This opportunity uses the R33 activity code, which generally aligns with later-stage development or advanced implementation rather than early feasibility work. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose infrastructure that is ready to be developed, integrated, scaled, or deployed in a way that will have a clear impact on aging research. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may include a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the infrastructure being proposed, but a clinical trial is not required. The infrastructure itself should be central to the application, with a credible plan showing how it will be built, validated, and utilized by the intended research community or collaborative group.

Eligibility is broad and covers a wide range of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The NOFO also allows nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. In addition, the announcement explicitly highlights several institution types and community-rooted organizations as eligible, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and eligible federal government agencies. U.S. territories or possessions are also listed as eligible applicants.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to non-U.S. applicants and components. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain types of international collaboration or work performed outside the United States if it meets NIH policy requirements and is appropriately justified and documented. This setup allows applicants to draw on unique expertise or resources internationally while keeping the primary awardee and main organizational responsibility within an eligible U.S. entity.

Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity within the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA numbers 93.313 and 93.866. The posted original application due date is December 2, 2025. The opportunity listing does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the supplied text, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget guidance, project period expectations, review criteria, and any institute- or program-specific priorities tied to aging research infrastructure.

Overall, the core message of PAR-25-219 is that NIH is looking to invest in durable, reusable, interdisciplinary infrastructure that meaningfully expands what aging researchers can do, especially in areas where progress is bottlenecked by a lack of shared resources, coordinated partnerships, or specialized platforms. Applicants are expected to demonstrate both strong technical plans for development and a credible strategy for real-world utilization by a broader community of aging researchers, not just by a single lab or narrow team.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.313, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-02. (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 PAR 25 219

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