Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is NIH funding opportunity PA-09-191?

PA-09-191 is an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R21)." It supports exploratory and early-stage research on why older adults often experience higher fatigability and consequently reduce physical and cognitive activity.

What is the main scientific focus of this FOA?

The central focus is the role of bioenergetics (how the body produces, uses, and regulates energy) as a potential driver of age-related increases in fatigability. The FOA emphasizes studies that clarify the biology behind fatigue, strengthen measurement approaches, and explore ways to reduce fatigability by targeting energy-related pathways.

How does the FOA define or frame "bioenergetics" in this context?

In this announcement, bioenergetics refers broadly to energy production, energy utilization in tissues (including muscle and other tissues), and regulation of energy balance. The FOA is interested in how changes in these processes may contribute to higher fatigability with aging.

Why is fatigability important in aging research according to this announcement?

The FOA highlights that increased fatigability can directly contribute to decreased mobility, reduced participation in daily activities, and poorer overall quality of life in older adults. Because of these downstream impacts, the FOA prioritizes research that can illuminate mechanisms and point to practical strategies to reduce fatigability.

What kinds of projects does PA-09-191 encourage?

The FOA encourages R21 applications in three broad areas: (1) studies identifying and explaining specific bioenergetic alterations linked to increased fatigability and subsequent activity limitations; (2) development and evaluation of improved ways to measure fatigability in relation to bioenergetics; and (3) research evaluating interventions intended to correct or compensate for bioenergetic changes to reduce fatigability and related limitations.

What are examples of bioenergetic alterations mentioned in the FOA?

The announcement provides general examples that include problems in energy production, impaired utilization of energy in muscle or other tissues, and disrupted regulation of energy balance, as potential bioenergetic alterations associated with fatigability.

Does the FOA require a specific type of intervention?

No. The excerpt does not prescribe exact intervention types. However, it frames interventions as those that meaningfully engage energy production and regulation mechanisms, rather than approaches that treat fatigue only as a general symptom.

Is this an R21 grant, and what does that imply?

Yes. PA-09-191 uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) mechanism. R21s are typically intended for innovative, higher-risk projects that can generate foundational data, establish feasibility, or open new research directions.

Are there related funding opportunities with the same scientific scope?

Yes. The FOA is part of a set of parallel announcements with the same scientific scope, including an R01 version (PA-09-190) for more fully developed projects and an R03 version (PA-09-192) for smaller, more limited studies.

What is the maximum award amount listed for PA-09-191?

The listed award ceiling is $200,000.

Are award size, project duration, or number of awards fixed?

No. The FOA states that award size, project duration, and the number of awards are not fixed in advance and depend on the range, quality, and cost of the applications received.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

Which NIH organizations are associated with this FOA?

The FOA is issued by the National Institutes of Health and is jointly associated with multiple NIH components: the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), and the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS).

What does the mix of NIH sponsors suggest about the research priorities?

Based on the description provided, the set of participating NIH components suggests broad interest in aging-related fatigue from multiple angles, including functional health and aging, cardiovascular and pulmonary contributors, nursing and symptom science perspectives, women’s health considerations, and potential connections to dietary factors and supplementation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. It includes many types of domestic organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit entities (including small businesses), state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, and school districts.

Are special categories of institutions and organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA lists additional eligible applicants including historically underrepresented and mission-specific institutions (for example HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions), faith-based and community-based organizations, certain federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.

When was this opportunity posted, and what are the key dates provided?

The posting and creation date is June 3, 2009. The final closing date shown is September 7, 2012. The announcement is noted as archived on October 8, 2012.

What population does the FOA focus on?

The FOA focuses on aging and older adults, particularly in relation to increased fatigability and associated reductions in physical and cognitive activity.

Does the FOA emphasize measurement development as well as biology and interventions?

Yes. One of the three broad encouraged areas is the development and evaluation of better ways to measure fatigability in relation to bioenergetics, with an emphasis on stronger, more biologically grounded metrics that can be used in research and potentially in clinical contexts.

What outcomes or impacts does the FOA ultimately aim to improve?

The FOA connects reduced fatigability to improved mobility, greater participation in daily activities, and better overall quality of life for aging populations, and it promotes intervention research with the explicit goal of improving quality of life.