Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Increase Diversity (R36 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 19 394

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 394

The Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Increase Diversity (R36 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity, administered through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), designed to support dissertation-stage research projects that align with NIA strategic priorities. Its central aim is to strengthen and diversify the pipeline of scientists working on aging and aging-related health conditions by providing targeted dissertation funding. In practical terms, this FOA supports research across the broad landscape of aging science, as long as the project fits within NIA priorities and is structured as a dissertation award. Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism, meaning applicants must propose non-clinical-trial research activities.

This opportunity is listed as PAR-19-394 and uses the grant funding instrument under the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.866). It falls under the discretionary opportunity category. The FOA was created on October 17, 2019, and the original closing date provided in the listing is January 7, 2023. The source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so prospective applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH/NIA budget guidance for the most current details on allowable costs, typical award sizes, and program-specific expectations.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; and Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized. It also includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education, since universities are covered in separate categories). For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also included, along with an "other" category that can cover additional entity types as defined by NIH policy.

In addition to the standard NIH applicant categories, the FOA explicitly calls out several types of institutions and organizations as other eligible applicants. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also includes eligible federal government agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis reflects the FOA's diversity-focused purpose, encouraging participation by institutions that often serve historically underrepresented populations and communities.

At the same time, the FOA places clear restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In effect, applicants must structure the project so that the work is carried out without foreign components and through eligible U.S.-based institutions and arrangements.

Overall, PAR-19-394 is best understood as an NIA-supported dissertation grant mechanism intended to help doctoral candidates complete aging-focused research while also advancing NIA's goal of building a more diverse scientific workforce in aging research. It supports dissertation projects across NIA priority areas, but it is strictly limited to non-clinical-trial research and must comply with NIH rules that prohibit foreign components for this particular opportunity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aging Research Dissertation Awards to Increase Diversity (R36 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): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-10-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-07. (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 PAR 19 394

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