Early-Stage T1 Translational Aging Research (Bench to Bedside) for the Development of Novel Therapeutics (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 304

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 304

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity PAR-19-304, titled "Early-Stage T1 Translational Aging Research (Bench to Bedside) for the Development of Novel Therapeutics (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)," supports projects that move promising aging-related discoveries out of the lab and toward real-world clinical use. It is aimed at early-stage T1 translation, meaning the focus is on turning strong basic or applied research findings into candidate therapeutics that are ready for the next steps on the path to human testing and clinical impact. The overarching goal is to speed development of interventions that can prevent, slow, or treat diseases and functional declines that commonly emerge with aging, including situations where older adults experience multiple chronic conditions at once.

The FOA is centered on therapeutic development for aging-related clinical conditions such as sarcopenia, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), immunosenescence, pulmonary fibrosis, metabolic syndrome, and chronic kidney disease. While these examples help define the scope, the opportunity is broadly framed around aging biology and age-associated disease mechanisms, so applicants can propose work on other conditions as long as the connection to aging and translational therapeutic development is clear. The key emphasis is not just on describing mechanisms, but on advancing a therapeutic strategy in a way that makes it more likely to reach patients.

NIH signals interest in a wide range of intervention types. This includes pharmacological approaches such as entirely new classes of compounds (with specific examples like senolytics, anti-inflammatory agents, and modulators of proteostasis and autophagy), as well as natural products and related derivatives, mimics, or synthetic equivalents. It also extends to biologics and stem/progenitor cell-based therapies. Another encouraged pathway is repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs for new aging-relevant indications, which can sometimes shorten development timelines because there is already prior information about safety and manufacturing.

Applications may propose novel therapeutic targets or propose innovative ways to engage already-known targets, so the program is open to both first-in-class and best-in-class concepts. The grant mechanism is an Exploratory/Developmental Phase II R33, and clinical trials are optional, meaning proposals can include a clinical study component if justified, but they are not required. In practice, this mechanism is commonly used for milestone-driven, translational projects where the work plan is organized around concrete development steps rather than purely hypothesis-driven basic research.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions when specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and certain housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly highlights a range of mission-driven and capacity-building institution types as eligible, 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 Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. U.S. territories or possessions are also included among eligible applicants.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed under this announcement. In other words, the applicant organization and the project performance components must remain within allowable U.S. settings as defined by NIH.

From the administrative details provided, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health area (CFDA 93.866) offered by NIH. The listed award ceiling is $300,000, and the original closing date shown in the source data is July 16, 2022, with a creation date of June 25, 2019. Overall, the opportunity is designed for teams that already have a strong scientific rationale and are ready to do the focused, translational work needed to move a therapeutic concept toward the clinic in aging and age-related disease.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early-Stage T1 Translational Aging Research (Bench to Bedside) for the Development of Novel Therapeutics (R33 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-16. (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 $300,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 19 304

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