Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 348

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 348

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement PA-18-348 supports R01 grant applications that test, refine, or develop biobehavioral and technology-based interventions aimed at slowing or reducing cognitive decline in people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or age- and disease-related cognitive changes. The intent is practical and impact-focused: fund clinical research that can help individuals preserve independence, day-to-day functioning, and quality of life for as long as possible, while also addressing the heavy stress and burden that often falls on informal caregivers. Clinical trials are allowed but not required under this announcement (clinical trial optional), meaning applicants can propose everything from mechanistic or developmental studies through to intervention efficacy or effectiveness studies, as long as the work fits the FOA goals.

A central emphasis is on interventions that can realistically be used outside of specialty clinics, especially in community settings. NIH highlights interest in approaches that people with cognitive impairment can carry out themselves, or that can be delivered and maintained by informal caregivers, community health workers, or other local supports. This focus reflects a real-world implementation mindset: interventions that are scalable, accessible, and feasible in everyday environments rather than dependent on highly specialized research infrastructure. Examples of the kinds of intervention categories implied by the FOA include biobehavioral approaches (such as structured cognitive or behavioral strategies, caregiver-mediated approaches, lifestyle behavior change programs, or similar non-pharmacologic methods) and technological approaches (such as digital tools, remote monitoring, assistive technologies, or other tech-enabled intervention platforms) designed to attenuate decline or support functioning.

The FOA also explicitly welcomes research that informs intervention development, not just final-stage trials. That includes studies that help identify the active ingredients of an intervention, optimize delivery strategies, or tailor interventions to particular dementia types or stages of impairment. In addition, NIH expresses interest in work that examines underlying mechanisms and biomarkers tied to response. In practice, that means proposals can incorporate measures that help explain how and why an intervention works, for whom it works best, and what biological, cognitive, or behavioral indicators predict benefit. This mechanistic angle is meant to strengthen the science behind non-pharmacologic and technology-supported interventions and to make future interventions more targeted and effective.

In terms of outcomes, the announcement is geared toward benefits that matter directly to daily life. Proposed studies are expected to connect interventions to meaningful functional outcomes, such as maintaining or improving activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), along with broader goals like sustaining autonomy, participation, and quality of life. At the same time, the FOA recognizes that dementia and cognitive impairment affect family and other caregivers, so it also values research that reduces caregiver stress, burden, and related negative outcomes. In other words, the opportunity is not only about cognitive test scores; it is also about everyday function and the wider care ecosystem.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizations that could realistically conduct community-facing or clinically relevant research. Eligible applicants listed in the source include state, county, and local governments; 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also calls out additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This range signals NIH interest in diversifying both the applicant pool and the settings where interventions are designed and tested, particularly where community partnerships are essential.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary grant mechanism under the R01 activity code, managed by NIH, and falls under CFDA numbers 93.361 and 93.866. The original posting date in the source is December 18, 2017, with an original closing date shown as January 7, 2021. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source fields, which typically means applicants should consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for R01 applications to understand budget expectations, allowable costs, and institute- or program-specific constraints. Overall, the announcement is positioned to move the field toward interventions that are not only scientifically grounded but also usable in real life, especially for people living in the community and the caregivers supporting them.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PA 18 348

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: