Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 23 017

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 23 017

The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) program (RFA-AG-23-017) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity that supports the creation or strengthening of specialized research centers focused on aging and geriatrics. The core purpose is to build centers of excellence that advance both research and research education aimed at helping older adults maintain or regain independence. In practical terms, the program is meant to concentrate expertise, infrastructure, and training in a way that accelerates scientific progress on problems that commonly threaten independent living in later life, such as functional decline, mobility limitations, frailty, disability, and other age-related conditions that reduce day-to-day autonomy.

This FOA uses the P30 center grant mechanism, which typically emphasizes shared resources, coordinated programs, and a unifying theme rather than a single stand-alone research project. Applicants are expected to propose a clear, well-defined aging research focus area aligned with the OAIC mission, and to show how the center will sustain momentum and measurable progress in that area over time. The announcement also notes that clinical trials are optional, meaning the center can include clinical trial activity if it fits the scientific goals, but it is not required to do so. Overall, the emphasis is on building durable capacity in geriatrics research and training, producing tools, methods, evidence, and interventions that can translate into better strategies to preserve or restore functional independence for older people.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health funding area (CFDA 93.866) and is administered by NIH. The listed award ceiling is $925,000. While the expected number of awards is not specified in the provided details, the structure of the program indicates competitive selection of a limited number of center awards designed to have strong institutional commitment and a significant impact on the field.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizational types and includes many government and non-government applicants. Eligible entities 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional applicants captured under an "others" category. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant groups such as 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. This framing signals an intent to encourage broad participation and to strengthen geriatrics research capacity across a wide range of institutional settings.

At the same time, there are clear limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant. However, "foreign components" as defined by NIH policy are allowed, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain approved international collaborations or elements when they are justified scientifically and compliant with NIH Grants Policy Statement requirements.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of October 19, 2022, and a creation date of July 5, 2022. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is health. In summary, this OAIC FOA is designed for institutions that can anchor a coordinated geriatrics research center with a strong thematic focus, shared infrastructure, and a clear plan to advance research and research training that leads directly to improved independence outcomes for older adults.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (P30 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 2022-07-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-19. (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 $925,000.00 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 RFA AG 23 017

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