Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AA 09 004
Apply for RFA AA 09 004
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Effects of Alcohol on Glial Cells (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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 5, 2008 and posted on Dec 5, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Independent school districts Special district governments State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having 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) 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 Effects of Alcohol on Glial Cells (R21) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) that aims to support exploratory research on how alcohol affects glial biology and how those glial changes, in turn, shape brain function and alcohol-related behavior. The scientific focus is centered on glial cells, including alcohol-driven changes in glial gene expression, neuroimmune and proinflammatory signaling pathways, and glial survival. The FOA is especially interested in projects that connect these glial alterations to downstream consequences such as glial-neuronal communication, neuronal gene expression, neuronal activity, neuronal survival, and measurable behavioral outcomes related to alcohol exposure.
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for early-stage, innovative, or high-risk/high-reward projects that can generate strong preliminary evidence or open up new research directions. The R21 format generally fits studies that are proof-of-concept in nature, develop or apply novel approaches, or test emerging hypotheses about biological mechanisms. The announcement also notes that it runs in parallel with a companion FOA of the same scientific scope that uses the R01 mechanism (RFA-AA-09-003), meaning investigators with a more mature, fully developed project may consider the R01 track, while those proposing more exploratory work may align better with the R21.
In terms of funding, NIAAA planned a total estimated program budget of 2,000,000 dollars for this initiative and anticipated making approximately 3 to 5 awards. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, uses the grant instrument type, and falls under the health activity category, with CFDA number 93.273 (Alcohol Research Programs). Cost sharing or matching is not required, which is typical for many NIH research grant mechanisms and removes a common barrier for applicants who might otherwise need to secure non-federal matching funds.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizations and institution types. Eligible applicants listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as well as nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district governments, and independent school districts). The FOA also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments), tribally controlled colleges and universities, and Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native serving institutions. It further allows participation from U.S. territories or possessions and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and Hispanic-serving institutions. This inclusive eligibility language signals an intent to attract a diverse applicant pool and encourage proposals from a wide variety of research and community contexts, including international contributors where appropriate.
Key administrative details indicate the FOA was posted and created on December 5, 2008, with an original and current closing date of March 26, 2009, and an archive date of April 26, 2009. The funding opportunity number is RFA-AA-09-004. The full announcement was made available through the NIH Grants Guide, and technical access or linking issues were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts provided in the listing.
Overall, the grant opportunity is designed to move the field beyond neuron-only models of alcohol effects by emphasizing glia as active drivers of alcohol-related brain changes. It encourages applications that treat glial cells not as passive support cells but as dynamic participants in neuroimmune signaling, inflammatory responses, and neuronal regulation, with a clear line of interest in how these cellular and molecular effects translate into functional brain outcomes and alcohol-related behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled The Effects of Alcohol on Glial Cells (R21).
Which agency and institute are sponsoring this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-AA-09-004.
What research does this FOA aim to support?
This FOA aims to support exploratory research on how alcohol affects glial biology and how alcohol-driven changes in glia shape brain function and alcohol-related behavior.
What types of cells are the scientific focus of this FOA?
The scientific focus is centered on glial cells, emphasizing alcohol-related impacts on glial biology and downstream consequences.
What glial changes are specifically highlighted as areas of interest?
The FOA highlights interest in alcohol-driven changes in:
- Glial gene expression
- Neuroimmune and proinflammatory signaling pathways
- Glial survival
Does the FOA encourage linking glial changes to functional outcomes?
Yes. The FOA is especially interested in projects that connect glial alterations to downstream outcomes such as:
- Glial-neuronal communication
- Neuronal gene expression
- Neuronal activity
- Neuronal survival
- Measurable behavioral outcomes related to alcohol exposure
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism.
What is the typical purpose of an NIH R21 mechanism?
The R21 mechanism is typically intended for early-stage, innovative, or high-risk/high-reward projects that can generate strong preliminary evidence or open up new research directions. It commonly supports proof-of-concept studies, novel approaches, and emerging hypotheses about biological mechanisms.
Is there a companion opportunity for more mature projects?
Yes. The announcement notes it runs in parallel with a companion FOA of the same scientific scope using the R01 mechanism: RFA-AA-09-003. Investigators with a more fully developed project may consider the R01 track, while exploratory work may be better suited to the R21.
How much total funding was planned for this initiative?
NIAAA planned a total estimated program budget of $2,000,000 for this initiative.
How many awards were anticipated?
The FOA anticipated making approximately 3 to 5 awards.
What type of funding is this categorized as?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the instrument type for this opportunity?
The instrument type is a grant.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity falls under the health activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed is 93.273 (Alcohol Research Programs).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, including:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits)
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments)
- Tribally controlled colleges and universities
- Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native serving institutions
- U.S. territories or possessions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations)
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic-serving institutions
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility language explicitly allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicants.
Are tribal entities and tribally controlled institutions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments), and tribally controlled colleges and universities.
When was the FOA posted and created?
The FOA was posted and created on December 5, 2008.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is March 26, 2009.
When was the FOA archived?
The archive date is April 26, 2009.
Where was the full announcement made available?
The full announcement was made available through the NIH Grants Guide.
Who was listed for technical access or linking issues?
For technical access or linking issues, the listing directed users to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contacts provided in the opportunity listing.
What broader scientific goal does this FOA emphasize?
The FOA is designed to move the field beyond neuron-only models of alcohol effects by emphasizing glia as active drivers of alcohol-related brain changes. It encourages applications that treat glial cells as dynamic participants in neuroimmune signaling, inflammatory responses, and neuronal regulation, and that connect these effects to functional brain outcomes and alcohol-related behaviors.
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