Research on the Cognitive Sequelae of Parkinsons Disease (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Research on the Cognitive Sequelae of Parkinsons Disease (R21) (PA-09-034)

1) What is this NIH funding opportunity?

This is an NIH exploratory/developmental research grant opportunity titled "Research on the Cognitive Sequelae of Parkinsons Disease (R21)" with funding opportunity number PA-09-034. It supports research focused on non-motor aspects of Parkinsons disease, especially cognitive impairment and mood-related symptoms.

2) What is the main purpose of PA-09-034?

The purpose is to advance understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms behind cognitive and affective (mood-related) symptoms in Parkinsons disease and to strengthen the research tools needed to develop better clinical interventions and therapeutics for those symptoms.

3) Which Parkinsons disease symptoms are emphasized in this announcement?

The FOA emphasizes cognitive impairment and mood/affective symptoms, including issues involving memory, attention, executive function, depression, anxiety, apathy, and other affective disturbances.

4) Why does the FOA focus on cognitive and mood symptoms rather than motor symptoms?

Because cognitive and emotional symptoms are described as central clinical problems in Parkinsons disease that can significantly affect independence, quality of life, caregiver burden, and long-term outcomes, not merely secondary issues compared to movement problems.

5) Which NIH institutes are involved?

The announcement is associated with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

6) What types of research projects does this FOA encourage?

The FOA encourages projects that clarify neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive and mood dysfunction in Parkinsons disease and that support eventual development of more effective clinical interventions and therapeutics. It highlights both mechanistic studies and projects with translational utility.

7) Is animal model development a key requirement or emphasis?

Yes. A major emphasis is the development of new animal models or meaningful improvements to existing models that better capture the biological basis of cognitive and mood dysfunction in Parkinsons disease, rather than focusing only on motor impairment.

8) What does "meaningful improvements" to existing animal models mean in this context?

Based on the FOA description, it means refining models so they better reflect Parkinsons-related pathology as it affects brain circuits involved in cognition and affect regulation, and so they are more useful for studying mechanisms and/or testing candidate therapeutics aimed at cognitive or affective symptoms.

9) Does the FOA support projects that test candidate therapeutics?

The FOA indicates interest in translational utility, including animal models that serve as practical platforms for testing candidate therapeutics targeting cognitive or affective symptoms. The overall intent includes moving the field toward better treatment approaches.

10) What kind of collaboration does the FOA encourage?

It encourages cross-disciplinary, biobehavioral collaboration that connects molecular and cellular mechanisms to brain systems, behavior, and clinically relevant symptom domains, bringing together basic scientists and clinical researchers to reduce disciplinary barriers.

11) What does "biobehavioral" mean as used here?

In the way the FOA describes it, biobehavioral collaboration means integrating biological levels of explanation (molecular, cellular, circuitry/pathology) with behavioral outcomes and symptom domains relevant to cognition and affective regulation in Parkinsons disease.

12) What NIH grant mechanism is used?

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is intended for exploratory or early-stage projects that generate key preliminary data, test novel ideas, or establish feasibility for new research directions.

13) Is there a related R01 opportunity?

Yes. The FOA runs in parallel with a companion announcement using the R01 mechanism (PA-09-033) that has the same scientific scope and is typically more suitable for larger, more mature research programs.

14) How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling listed for this FOA is $200,000. The announcement also notes that award size and duration may vary because projects can differ widely in complexity and scope.

15) How many awards will NIH make?

The total number of awards is not fixed. Awards depend on the number of applications received, scientific quality, proposed budgets and timelines, and the availability of funds across the participating NIH institutes.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving the award.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and many government entities.

18) Are state and local governments eligible?

Yes. The FOA lists a wide range of eligible government entities, including state, county, city/township governments, special districts, independent school districts, and public housing authorities.

19) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes tribal governments and tribal organizations among eligible applicants.

20) Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly lists eligible groups 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 also includes faith-based and community-based organizations and regional organizations.

21) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.

22) Are foreign (non-U.S.) entities eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly lists foreign (non-U.S.) entities as eligible.

23) What category of funding is this considered?

It is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity in the health category.

24) What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The FOA is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.853, and 93.866, covering mental health research, neuroscience and neurological disorders, and aging research.

25) When was this FOA posted, and what are the key dates listed?

The FOA was posted and created on December 10, 2008. The original and final closing date listed is January 7, 2012, and the archive date listed is February 7, 2012.

26) Where was the full announcement published?

The full archived announcement was made available through the NIH Grants Guide (a link is referenced in the source text describing the opportunity).

27) What is the overall intended impact of this R21 program?

The intended impact is to strengthen the research toolbox for Parkinsons-related cognitive and mood symptoms by improving animal models that reflect underlying disease mechanisms and by encouraging integrated basic-to-clinical collaboration, ultimately supporting development and testing of interventions for cognitive impairment and affective disturbances in Parkinsons disease.

28) Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

29) Who is listed for access or technical issues?

The NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact is included in the source description for access or technical issues.

30) Is this opportunity current or archived?

Based on the provided dates (final closing date January 7, 2012, archive date February 7, 2012), this opportunity is archived.