Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 20 004
This funding opportunity, RFA-NS-20-004, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant solicitation using the R01 research project grant mechanism, with clinical trials not allowed. It focuses on basic and translational research aimed at clarifying how the blood-brain barrier (BBB) works at the molecular level, what drives BBB dysfunction, and how that dysfunction connects mechanistically to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). A central theme is moving beyond correlation by identifying causal or mechanistic links between BBB breakdown and neurodegenerative processes associated with AD/ADRD, including how BBB impairment might influence disease initiation, progression, or pathology, and conversely how AD/ADRD pathology could damage BBB integrity and function. The initiative also explicitly highlights the role of comorbidities, encouraging research that explains how conditions that often co-occur with aging and dementia risk can alter core molecular pathways that maintain BBB health and stability.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity falls under NIH health research activities and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.853 and 93.866. The original application due date listed is October 9, 2019, and the posting (creation) date is July 10, 2019. The notice lists an award ceiling of $499,000. While the number of expected awards is not specified in the provided source data, the structure and budget cap suggest a standard R01-style competition aimed at supporting well-developed projects that can deliver detailed mechanistic insight rather than pilot-only observations.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. entities and several categories beyond typical academic institutions. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The solicitation also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types, emphasizing inclusion of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This expansive eligibility signals an intent to attract multidisciplinary and multi-sector expertise, including neuroscience, vascular biology, immunology, aging research, and other fields that can illuminate BBB-related mechanisms in dementia.
In practical terms, applicants are being asked to propose rigorous, hypothesis-driven studies that explain molecular mechanisms of BBB function and failure in the context of AD/ADRD and relevant comorbid conditions. The “clinical trial not allowed” designation indicates the work should not be structured as a prospective human intervention study designed to evaluate clinical outcomes, but it can still encompass a wide range of mechanistic research approaches typically supported under R01s, such as cellular and molecular studies, animal models, advanced imaging or omics approaches, and analyses of human specimens or observational data sets, so long as the project does not meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial. The overarching goal is to produce mechanistic knowledge that can ultimately support better understanding of dementia biology and, over time, inform prevention or therapeutic strategies targeting the BBB and neurovascular unit.Apply for RFA NS 20 004
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Molecular Mechanisms of Blood-Brain Barrier Function and Dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's related dementias (AD/ADRD) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-07-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-10-09. (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 $499,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - RFA-NS-20-004
What is the funding opportunity number and sponsoring agency?
This opportunity is RFA-NS-20-004 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What grant mechanism is being used?
The solicitation uses the NIH R01 Research Project Grant mechanism (a discretionary grant program).
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. The opportunity is designated "clinical trials not allowed," meaning the proposed work should not be structured as a prospective human intervention study intended to evaluate clinical outcomes under the NIH clinical trial definition.
What is the main scientific focus of this RFA?
The focus is basic and translational research to clarify how the blood-brain barrier (BBB) works at the molecular level, what drives BBB dysfunction, and how BBB dysfunction connects mechanistically to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD).
What does the RFA emphasize about BBB dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease?
A central theme is moving beyond correlation by identifying causal or mechanistic links between BBB breakdown and neurodegenerative processes associated with AD/ADRD. This includes investigating whether BBB impairment influences disease initiation, progression, or pathology, and whether AD/ADRD pathology can damage BBB integrity and function.
Does the opportunity encourage work on comorbidities?
Yes. The initiative explicitly highlights comorbidities and encourages research explaining how conditions that often co-occur with aging and dementia risk can alter the core molecular pathways that maintain BBB health and stability.
What types of studies are applicants expected to propose?
Applicants are expected to propose rigorous, hypothesis-driven studies aimed at explaining molecular mechanisms of BBB function and failure in the context of AD/ADRD and relevant comorbid conditions.
What kinds of research approaches appear consistent with this R01 (as described)?
Approaches described as fitting the scope include cellular and molecular studies, animal models, advanced imaging or omics approaches, and analyses of human specimens or observational data sets, as long as the project does not meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial.
Is the opportunity limited to basic research only?
No. It supports both basic and translational research, with an emphasis on detailed mechanistic insight into BBB biology and dysfunction in AD/ADRD.
What is the overarching goal of the initiative?
The goal is to generate mechanistic knowledge that strengthens understanding of dementia biology and can, over time, inform prevention or therapeutic strategies targeting the BBB and the neurovascular unit.
What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.853 and 93.866.
What is the application due date listed in the provided information?
The original application due date listed is October 9, 2019.
What is the posting (creation) date listed in the provided information?
The posting (creation) date is July 10, 2019.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $499,000.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include a wide range of domestic U.S. entities and additional categories beyond typical academic institutions, including certain U.S. territories/possessions and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).
Which government entities are eligible?
Eligible government applicants include state governments, county governments, city/township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities, and Indian housing authorities. The opportunity also lists eligible federal agencies.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The solicitation also calls out Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicant types.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included among eligible applicant types.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The solicitation includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
What is the practical implication of "clinical trials not allowed" for study design?
Based on the provided description, projects should avoid being framed as prospective human intervention studies evaluating clinical outcomes. Mechanistic studies (including those using human specimens or observational data sets) may be appropriate as long as they do not meet NIH's clinical trial definition.
Does the RFA encourage multidisciplinary research teams?
Yes, the broad eligibility and stated intent suggest NIH is seeking multidisciplinary and multi-sector expertise, including areas such as neuroscience, vascular biology, immunology, and aging research, to illuminate BBB-related mechanisms in dementia.
What kind of scientific contribution is this RFA trying to prioritize?
It prioritizes well-developed projects that can deliver detailed mechanistic insight, specifically aiming to establish causal or mechanistic links between BBB dysfunction and AD/ADRD-related neurodegenerative processes rather than purely correlational findings.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Research on biopsychosocial factors of social connectedness and isolation on health, wellbeing, illness, and recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Previous opportunity: Continue Critical Archaeological Research
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 RFA NS 20 004
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA NS 20 004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: Renewal of Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (Phase 2) (P20 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 312 Funding Number: PAR 19 312 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures for Neurological and Neuromuscular Disorders (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 315 Funding Number: PAR 19 315 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pilot Projects Investigating Understudied G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Ion Channels, and Protein Kinases (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 19 011 Funding Number: RFA RM 19 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Mechanisms of Tolerance (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 311 Funding Number: PAR 19 311 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 (P20 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 313 Funding Number: PAR 19 313 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Specialized Alcohol Research Centers (P50 Clinical trial Optional) Apply for RFA AA 20 001 Funding Number: RFA AA 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,150,000 |
| Comprehensive Alcohol Research Centers (P60 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AA 20 002 Funding Number: RFA AA 20 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| NIA Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 314 Funding Number: PAR 19 314 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) – Global Health Apply for 7200AA19APS00013 Funding Number: 7200AA19APS00013 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Connecting Kids to Coverage (CKC) HEALTHY KIDS AI/AN Apply for CMS 2D2 20 001 Funding Number: CMS 2D2 20 001 Agency: Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Advancing Research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's-Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 19 316 Funding Number: PAS 19 316 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's-Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 19 317 Funding Number: PAS 19 317 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AG 20 011 Funding Number: RFA AG 20 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 20 010 Funding Number: RFA AG 20 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microbiome and Aging: Impact on Health and Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 20 030 Funding Number: RFA AG 20 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Preclinical Screening for Natural Product Drug Interactions (Clinical Trial Not Allowed, R21) Apply for RFA AT 20 001 Funding Number: RFA AT 20 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Single-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 328 Funding Number: PAR 19 328 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clinical Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 329 Funding Number: PAR 19 329 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Data Coordinating Center for Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (Collaborative U24 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 330 Funding Number: PAR 19 330 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program Technical Assistance and Late Stage Development (SB1, R44) Clinical Trial Required Apply for PAR 19 335 Funding Number: PAR 19 335 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
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.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA NS 20 004", 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.