Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 13 059
Apply for PA 13 059
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pain in Aging (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 20, 2012 and posted on Dec 20, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2016. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Independent school districts Special district governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Small businesses Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities State governments County governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) 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) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Pain in Aging (R21) funding opportunity (PA-13-059) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) exploratory/developmental grant program designed to spark early-stage, high-impact research focused on how pain is experienced, measured, and treated in the context of aging. The central goal is to encourage projects that look at pain specifically through an aging lens, whether that means studying older adults directly, examining how pain processes differ by age, or identifying age-related changes that influence pain perception, persistence, and response to treatment. Because it is an R21 mechanism, it is geared toward innovative, developmental work that can generate key preliminary findings, new methods, or proof-of-concept data that could later support larger studies.
The announcement highlights three main research priorities. First, it encourages studies on the mechanisms and predictors of pain in aging, which can include biological and neurobiological pathways, genetic or molecular contributors, and factors that help explain why some older individuals develop chronic or severe pain while others do not. Second, it places strong emphasis on developing and evaluating pain assessment tools that are appropriate for older adults (or for older model organisms). This reflects real-world challenges in accurately measuring pain in aging populations, including issues like cognitive impairment, communication barriers, sensory changes, and differing symptom presentations that can make standard pain scales less reliable or less informative. Third, it supports the development and evaluation of pain management strategies specifically tailored to older adults, with particular attention to the complexity of treating pain when multiple chronic conditions are present. This includes the practical and clinical reality that older patients often have several comorbidities and take multiple medications, which can increase risks, limit treatment options, and complicate both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches.
The scope of acceptable research is intentionally broad and multidisciplinary. Applications can focus on biological factors (including genetic, molecular, and neurobiological processes), as well as clinical outcomes, behavioral patterns, psychological influences, and social or environmental contributors that shape pain and pain care in later life. Both human subjects research and animal model studies are considered appropriate, and the FOA explicitly notes interest in animal models, especially studies using aged animals, which are often necessary to understand age-related mechanisms that may not be easily isolated in human populations.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity in the health and education-related funding activity category, with CFDA listings that include aging research as well as alcohol and drug abuse/addiction research programs (93.866, 93.273, 93.279). The award ceiling is listed at $200,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted on December 20, 2012, with an original and current closing date of January 7, 2016, and it was archived on February 7, 2016, meaning it is no longer active as written but remains useful as a reference point for similar NIH pain-and-aging solicitations.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide mix of public and private institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled universities, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, state and local governments (including county and city/township governments), independent school districts, special district governments, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments and organizations, tribally controlled colleges and universities, U.S. territories or possessions, and a range of mission-focused institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations. The FOA also indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations may be eligible, as well as eligible federal agencies, depending on NIH policy and the specific interpretation in the full announcement.
Overall, the Pain in Aging (R21) FOA is aimed at accelerating new ideas that improve understanding of pain in later life and lead to better tools and strategies for recognizing and managing pain in older populations, especially in the medically complex situations that are common in aging.
FAQs: Pain in Aging (R21) Funding Opportunity (PA-13-059)
What is the Pain in Aging (R21) funding opportunity (PA-13-059)?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) exploratory/developmental grant program using the R21 mechanism. It is designed to spark early-stage, high-impact research on how pain is experienced, measured, and treated in the context of aging.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The central goal is to encourage projects that examine pain through an aging lens, such as studying older adults directly, comparing pain processes across ages, or identifying age-related changes that affect pain perception, persistence, and response to treatment.
What does it mean that this is an R21 mechanism?
R21 awards are geared toward innovative, developmental research. The emphasis is on generating key preliminary findings, new methods, or proof-of-concept data that could support larger studies later.
What are the main research priorities highlighted in the announcement?
The FOA highlights three main priorities: (1) mechanisms and predictors of pain in aging, (2) development and evaluation of pain assessment tools appropriate for older adults (or older model organisms), and (3) development and evaluation of pain management strategies tailored to older adults, particularly when multiple chronic conditions are present.
What types of studies fit under “mechanisms and predictors of pain in aging”?
This area can include biological and neurobiological pathways, genetic or molecular contributors, and factors that explain why some older individuals develop chronic or severe pain while others do not.
Why does the FOA emphasize pain assessment tools for older adults?
Accurately measuring pain in aging populations can be challenging due to issues such as cognitive impairment, communication barriers, sensory changes, and differences in symptom presentation that can make standard pain scales less reliable or less informative.
Are assessment tool studies limited to humans?
No. The FOA also mentions pain assessment tools appropriate for older model organisms, indicating that animal-focused measurement approaches may be responsive when aligned with aging.
What kinds of pain management strategies are within scope?
The FOA supports developing and evaluating pain management strategies specifically tailored to older adults, with attention to the complexity of treating pain when multiple chronic conditions and multiple medications are involved.
Why is comorbidity and polypharmacy highlighted in this opportunity?
The announcement points to the clinical reality that older patients often have several comorbidities and take multiple medications, which can increase risks, limit treatment options, and complicate both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management approaches.
How broad is the scientific scope of eligible research?
The scope is intentionally broad and multidisciplinary. Applications may focus on biological factors (genetic, molecular, neurobiological), clinical outcomes, behavioral patterns, psychological influences, and social or environmental contributors that shape pain and pain care in later life.
Does the FOA allow human subjects research?
Yes. Human subjects research is considered appropriate within the scope described.
Are animal model studies allowed or encouraged?
Yes. Animal model studies are considered appropriate, and the FOA explicitly notes interest in animal models, especially studies using aged animals to understand age-related mechanisms that may be difficult to isolate in humans.
What is the funding category and general administrative context?
This is described as a discretionary NIH grant opportunity in the health and education-related funding activity category.
What CFDA listings are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 93.866, 93.273, and 93.279, reflecting aging research as well as alcohol and drug abuse/addiction research programs.
What is the award ceiling for this FOA?
The award ceiling is listed at $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the closing dates?
It was posted on December 20, 2012. The original and current closing date listed is January 7, 2016.
Is this funding opportunity still active?
No. It was archived on February 7, 2016, meaning it is no longer active as written, but it may still be useful as a reference point for similar NIH pain-and-aging solicitations.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many public and private institutions and organizations, including universities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various government entities.
Are state and local government entities eligible?
Yes. The eligible list includes state governments and local governments, including county and city/township governments, as well as special district governments and independent school districts.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes Native American tribal governments and organizations, as well as tribally controlled colleges and universities.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Are mission-focused institutions (like HBCUs and Hispanic-serving institutions) eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and also notes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
The FOA indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations may be eligible, as well as eligible federal agencies, depending on NIH policy and the specific interpretation in the full announcement.
Does this opportunity focus only on studying older adults directly?
No. While studying older adults is included, the FOA also supports work examining how pain processes differ by age and identifying age-related changes that influence pain, including through animal models (especially aged animals).
What overall impact is this FOA trying to achieve?
It aims to accelerate new ideas that improve understanding of pain in later life and lead to better tools and strategies for recognizing and managing pain in older populations, including medically complex aging situations.
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Applicants also applied for:
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| Pain in Aging (R03) Apply for PA 13 060 Funding Number: PA 13 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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| Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program (Si2) Apply for RFA OD 13 004 Funding Number: RFA OD 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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