Focal Cognitive Deficits in CNS Disorders (R03) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NIH funding opportunity "Focal Cognitive Deficits in CNS Disorders (R03)" (PA-11-068)?

PA-11-068 was an NIH funding opportunity that supported small, targeted research projects focused on understanding specific (focal) cognitive deficits experienced by people living with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. It used the NIH R03 mechanism, which is designed for smaller, time-limited projects that can be completed with relatively modest resources.

What does "focal cognitive deficits" mean in this program?

In this program, "focal" referred to narrowly defined, discrete cognitive problems rather than broad or global cognitive impairment. The emphasis was on pinpointing particular cognitive domains and characterizing specific difficulties within those domains.

What kinds of cognitive domains or deficits were relevant to this FOA?

The FOA highlighted discrete difficulties such as deficits in attention, memory, executive functioning, language, processing speed, and other specific cognitive domains, with a focus on clearly defined and measurable problems.

What types of CNS disorders were the focus of this opportunity?

The opportunity focused on cognitive deficits that occur in people living with CNS disorders. The provided information does not list specific disorders, but the intent was to study focal cognitive problems across different CNS conditions.

Was the focus more on describing deficits, or on treating them?

Both were relevant. The FOA supported basic and translational science and explicitly included intervention research. That means projects could focus on describing and understanding focal cognitive deficits, testing approaches to address them, or combining both elements.

What kinds of research questions did this FOA encourage?

Based on the description, the FOA encouraged projects that (1) identify and characterize discrete cognitive difficulties, (2) examine how such deficits develop or present across CNS conditions, and (3) clarify how these deficits affect everyday functioning and quality of life.

Did the FOA emphasize real-world outcomes?

Yes. A key theme was connecting focal cognitive deficits to day-to-day functioning and quality of life, indicating interest in clinically and practically meaningful outcomes rather than purely abstract measurement.

Which NIH organizations participated in PA-11-068?

The participating NIH organizations listed were the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) also participated as part of its broader mission to strengthen behavioral and social science approaches.

What did OBSSR participation imply for applicants?

OBSSR involvement signaled that proposals incorporating behavioral, psychosocial, or social-context dimensions of cognitive impairment were especially relevant. However, the FOA also clarified that only the participating NIH Institutes and Centers would provide direct grant support under this announcement.

Which organizations actually provided the grant funding under this FOA?

The FOA stated that only the participating NIH Institutes and Centers would provide direct grant support. Applicants therefore needed to align proposed work with the missions and priorities of the supporting Institutes.

What grant mechanism was used, and what is it designed for?

This FOA used the NIH R03 mechanism. R03 awards are intended for small research grants that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources, and are commonly used for pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing data, compact self-contained research projects, and early-stage development of methods or technologies.

What kinds of projects were considered a good fit for the R03 structure described here?

The FOA described projects such as pilot studies, feasibility work, secondary analysis of existing datasets, compact self-contained studies, and early-stage method or technology development. It also positioned the mechanism as a way to generate preliminary data for a larger future study or test early intervention concepts.

Could applicants use existing datasets rather than collect new data?

Yes. The FOA explicitly mentioned secondary analysis of existing datasets as a type of project well suited to the R03 mechanism.

Could this program support development of cognitive assessment methods or technologies?

Yes. Early-stage development of research methods or technologies was explicitly described as a good fit for the R03 mechanism within this FOA, including efforts such as testing new cognitive assessment approaches.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What were the CFDA numbers associated with this funding opportunity?

The FOA carried CFDA numbers 93.361 (Nursing Research) and 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research).

How was this opportunity categorized administratively?

It was categorized as a discretionary grant program within broad activity areas including education, health, income security, and social services.

When was PA-11-068 posted, and when did it close?

The FOA was posted on December 9, 2010. The original and final closing date listed was January 7, 2014, and the archive date was February 7, 2014.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. Based on the listed closing date (January 7, 2014) and archive date (February 7, 2014), the opportunity is no longer open and remains available for reference.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad. The FOA allowed applications from public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); state and local governments (including county, city, or township governments); independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; small businesses; and for-profit entities other than small businesses.

Were minority-serving and capacity-building institutions included in eligibility?

Yes. The eligibility list explicitly included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other mission-driven or capacity-building organizations.

Could faith-based and community-based organizations apply?

Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations were explicitly included in the eligibility list.

Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list included federally recognized tribal governments as well as other tribal entities.

Were U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions were included in the eligibility list.

Could non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?

Yes. The eligibility list explicitly included non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations.

What was the overall purpose of PA-11-068?

The overall purpose was to catalyze focused, high-value projects that advance the science of specific cognitive deficits in CNS disorders. The FOA aimed to grow both basic and translational research, encourage behavioral and social science perspectives, and support projects that could lead to larger future studies or interventions.