Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 12 226
Apply for PA 12 226
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fatigability, Activity Limitations, and Bioenergetics in Aging (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 11, 2012 and posted on Jul 11, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses County governments City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Independent school districts Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Special district governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement PA 12-226, titled "Fatigability, Activity Limitations, and Bioenergetics in Aging (R03)," supports small, focused research projects that examine why many older adults experience higher levels of fatigability and how that fatigability contributes to reduced activity, functional limitations, and lower quality of life. In this announcement, "fatigability" is treated as fatigue that is tied to a defined level of activity, which helps distinguish it from more general self-reported tiredness by anchoring the concept to what a person is doing and how demanding that activity is. The overall intent is to push the field toward clearer mechanisms, better measurement, and practical interventions that can preserve or improve day-to-day function as people age.
This FOA invites three broad types of projects. First, applicants may propose studies that investigate how specific bioenergetic factors contribute to increased fatigability in older persons, as well as associated outcomes such as reduced physical activity and a diminished sense of well-being. In practice, this kind of work often focuses on biological and physiological processes involved in energy production, energy utilization, and metabolic efficiency, and how age-related changes in those processes may translate into earlier onset of fatigue during tasks, poorer endurance, or reduced ability to sustain usual activities. The emphasis on "specific" bioenergetic factors signals that the NIH is looking for targeted, hypothesis-driven work rather than broad descriptive studies without a clear mechanistic angle.
Second, the FOA encourages applications that test interventions aimed at those bioenergetic factors, with outcomes tied to performance capabilities, functional status, and other quality-of-life related measures. Interventions could include behavioral, rehabilitative, nutritional, pharmacologic, or other approaches, as long as they are grounded in a rationale related to bioenergetics and are assessed using meaningful functional endpoints. The key theme is translation: not only identifying a plausible biological contributor to fatigability, but also evaluating whether addressing that contributor can improve what older adults can do in real-world terms, such as mobility, physical function, participation in daily activities, and perceived well-being.
Third, the FOA seeks projects that develop and evaluate measures of fatigability that can be used in observational studies and/or interventional studies. This reflects a common challenge in aging research: fatigue is subjective and variable, and without good measurement tools that account for activity level, it is difficult to compare results across studies or to determine whether an intervention truly changes fatigability versus changing expectations, pacing strategies, or reporting style. Projects in this area might focus on creating standardized protocols, validating instruments against objective functional measures, improving sensitivity to change, or adapting measures for different settings and populations. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the toolbox researchers use so that fatigability can be assessed consistently and interpreted with greater confidence.
From an administrative standpoint, this is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity using the R03 mechanism, which is typically used for small research projects, pilot studies, feasibility work, secondary analyses, or early-stage instrument development that can generate preliminary data for larger efforts. The award ceiling listed is $100,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The funding activity category is Health and the CFDA number is 93.866 (Aging Research), placing it squarely within the aging research portfolio. The opportunity was posted and created on July 11, 2012, had an original and current closing date of September 7, 2015, and was archived on October 8, 2015, meaning it is no longer open but remains a useful reference for the type of work NIH sought under this topic area.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), small businesses, for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), and various government entities (state, county, city/township, special district, and independent school districts), as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly includes tribal governments and tribal organizations, and it notes additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies. Importantly, foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may apply, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed, indicating NIH openness to international collaboration or data collection when scientifically justified.
For more details, the FOA points to the NIH Grants Guide page at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-226.html, and provides NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact information for access or linking issues (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV).
FAQs: NIH PA-12-226 - Fatigability, Activity Limitations, and Bioenergetics in Aging (R03)
What is NIH PA-12-226 and what does it support?
PA-12-226 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Fatigability, Activity Limitations, and Bioenergetics in Aging (R03)." It supports small, focused research projects that examine why many older adults experience higher levels of fatigability and how that fatigability contributes to reduced activity, functional limitations, and lower quality of life.
How does this FOA define "fatigability"?
In this FOA, "fatigability" is treated as fatigue tied to a defined level of activity. The idea is to anchor fatigue to what someone is doing and how demanding that activity is, rather than relying only on general self-reported tiredness.
Why does the FOA emphasize fatigability being tied to a defined activity?
Anchoring fatigue to a defined activity helps distinguish fatigability from broader, more subjective reports of being tired. This can make results easier to interpret and compare across studies because the fatigue is linked to a specific task or workload.
What is the overall purpose or intent of this funding opportunity?
The intent is to move the field toward clearer mechanisms, better measurement, and practical interventions that can preserve or improve day-to-day function as people age.
What types of projects does this FOA invite?
The FOA invites three broad types of projects: (1) studies of specific bioenergetic factors that contribute to increased fatigability and related outcomes, (2) intervention studies that target those bioenergetic factors and measure functional and quality-of-life outcomes, and (3) projects that develop and evaluate measures of fatigability for use in observational and/or interventional studies.
What kinds of studies fit under the "bioenergetic factors" focus area?
This area supports research investigating how specific bioenergetic factors contribute to higher fatigability in older adults and associated outcomes such as reduced physical activity and diminished well-being. The FOA points to biological and physiological processes involved in energy production, energy utilization, and metabolic efficiency, and how age-related changes in these processes may lead to earlier fatigue during tasks, poorer endurance, or reduced ability to sustain usual activities.
Does NIH want broad descriptive studies, or targeted mechanistic work?
The FOA emphasizes "specific" bioenergetic factors, signaling interest in targeted, hypothesis-driven projects rather than broad descriptive studies without a clear mechanistic angle.
What kinds of interventions are encouraged under this FOA?
The FOA encourages interventions aimed at bioenergetic factors, with outcomes tied to performance capabilities, functional status, and other quality-of-life related measures. Interventions could include behavioral, rehabilitative, nutritional, pharmacologic, or other approaches, as long as they are grounded in a bioenergetics-related rationale and assessed using meaningful functional endpoints.
What outcomes does the FOA highlight for intervention studies?
Highlighted outcomes include performance capabilities, functional status, mobility, physical function, participation in daily activities, and perceived well-being, with an emphasis on real-world functional impact for older adults.
What does the FOA mean by "translation" in this context?
Translation here means going beyond identifying a plausible biological contributor to fatigability and evaluating whether addressing that contributor improves what older adults can do in real-world terms, including day-to-day function and quality-of-life related measures.
What kinds of measurement projects are responsive to this FOA?
Projects may develop and evaluate measures of fatigability that can be used in observational and/or interventional studies. Examples mentioned include creating standardized protocols, validating instruments against objective functional measures, improving sensitivity to change, or adapting measures for different settings and populations.
Why is measurement development emphasized in this FOA?
The FOA notes that fatigue is subjective and variable, and without tools that account for activity level it is difficult to compare results across studies or determine whether an intervention truly changes fatigability versus changing expectations, pacing strategies, or reporting style. Strengthening measurement is presented as a key need for the field.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is typically used for small research projects such as pilot studies, feasibility work, secondary analyses, or early-stage instrument development that can generate preliminary data for larger efforts.
What is the award ceiling for this FOA?
The listed award ceiling is $100,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category is Health. The CFDA number is 93.866 (Aging Research).
When was the opportunity posted, and is it still open?
The FOA was posted and created on July 11, 2012. The original and current closing date was September 7, 2015. It was archived on October 8, 2015, which means it is no longer open.
If it is archived, why might it still be useful?
Even though it is not open, it can still serve as a reference for the kinds of projects NIH sought on fatigability, bioenergetics, activity limitations, and measurement development in aging research.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); small businesses; for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); and various government entities (state, county, city/township, special district, and independent school districts), as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes tribal governments and tribal organizations among eligible applicants.
Does the FOA mention specific institution types such as HBCUs or Hispanic-serving Institutions?
Yes. It notes additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA states that foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are eligible to apply.
Can non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations participate?
Yes. The FOA indicates that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may apply.
Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy?
Yes. The FOA states that foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed.
Where can applicants find the official FOA text?
The FOA directs readers to the NIH Grants Guide page at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-12-226.html.
Who is listed for help with access or linking issues?
The NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact is provided for access or linking issues: FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
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