Transdisciplinary Research on Fatigue and Fatigability in Aging (R21) | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

Transdisciplinary Research on Fatigue and Fatigability in Aging (R21) (Funding Opportunity Number PA-08-162) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to spark early-stage, exploratory research focused on fatigue and fatigability among older adults. The core aim is to encourage innovative, cross-disciplinary projects that can move the field forward by improving how fatigue and fatigability are understood, measured, and ultimately addressed in aging populations. The announcement is positioned as a way to generate new ideas, pilot novel methods, and test emerging conceptual approaches that could later mature into larger, more definitive studies.

A central feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on transdisciplinary research. In practical terms, NIH is looking for studies that draw from multiple fields and integrate them in a way that a single-discipline approach cannot, such as combining gerontology, neuroscience, immunology, rehabilitation science, nursing, behavioral science, biomechanics, oncology-related symptom science, and complementary or integrative health perspectives. The goal is not simply parallel expertise, but integrated thinking that helps explain why fatigue increases with age, how it manifests in day-to-day functioning, and what mechanisms might be targeted to reduce its burden. Projects may examine biological drivers (for example, inflammation, mitochondrial function, neuroendocrine changes, anemia-related pathways, or medication effects), psychological contributors (mood, motivation, stress), functional and physical determinants (muscle performance, mobility limitations), or environmental and social factors that influence perceived and performance-based fatigue.

The FOA specifically supports exploratory or developmental work under the NIH R21 mechanism. R21s are typically used for high-potential, early research that may involve riskier ideas or newer methods where the evidence base is still forming. A notable advantage is that preliminary data are not required for an application to be considered responsive, although applicants may include preliminary results if they have them. This lowers the barrier for proposing novel concepts, tool development, proof-of-concept studies, feasibility testing, pilot interventions, or the creation and validation of new assessment strategies for fatigue and fatigability in older persons. Both human studies and animal model research are considered appropriate, allowing applicants to pursue mechanistic work in controlled experimental systems, translational studies, or clinically anchored investigations in older adult populations.

From a structural and administrative standpoint, this program uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) funding instrument, and it runs in parallel with a companion announcement of the same scientific scope that uses the R01 mechanism (PA-08-161). The parallel structure signals that NIH is supporting both early-stage concept development (R21) and larger, more comprehensive projects (R01) in the same topic area, depending on how mature an applicant's evidence and study plan are.

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $200,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. As with many NIH announcements, the actual number of awards is not guaranteed; funding decisions are contingent on the availability of appropriated funds and on the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically meritorious applications. In other words, NIH is setting the stage for funding strong proposals, but the final volume of awards depends on budget conditions and the quality of the applicant pool.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, which makes the opportunity accessible to a wide range of research performers. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, state and local governments (including counties, cities, townships, special districts), independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and tribal governments and tribal organizations. The eligibility language also explicitly includes a range of institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide net reflects an intent to attract diverse scientific perspectives and settings, including community-based research capacity, specialized aging research environments, and international expertise where relevant.

Key administrative dates indicate the opportunity was posted on April 25, 2008, with a closing date of May 7, 2011, and an archive date of June 7, 2011. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers that reflect its cross-cutting relevance, including 93.866 (Aging Research), as well as program areas tied to complementary and integrative health, nursing research, and cancer cause and prevention research (93.213, 93.361, 93.393). That mix reinforces the transdisciplinary intent and highlights that fatigue in aging is a symptom and functional outcome that spans many clinical and research domains.

Overall, PA-08-162 is best understood as an NIH invitation to develop and test bold, integrative research directions on fatigue and fatigability in older adults, with flexibility around preliminary data, openness to both animal and human research, and broad organizational eligibility. The R21 structure and modest budget cap are meant to support early, idea-generating work that can clarify mechanisms, sharpen measurement, and point toward interventions that could later be expanded into larger, definitive trials or long-term research programs.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health

Next opportunity: Mechanisms of Alcohol Induced Tissue Injury (R01)

Previous opportunity: Transdisciplinary Research on Fatigue and Fatigability in Aging (R01)

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for PA 08 162

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 08 162) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PA 08 162", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.