Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 039

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this NIH funding opportunity?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) PAR-25-039 (CFDA 93.242). It supports R01-level research projects focused on schizophrenia spectrum and related disorders in mid- to late-life.

What problem is NIH trying to address with this program?

NIH is addressing a knowledge gap: most people living with schizophrenia spectrum and related disorders are older than 35, including people newly diagnosed in midlife and people who have lived with the illness for decades, yet the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms shaping onset, course, and functional impact in mid- to late-life are not well understood.

What is the overall purpose or goal of the funding announcement?

The purpose is to support translational research that explains the emergence and trajectory of schizophrenia and related disorders specifically during midlife and later life. The longer-term goal is to identify measurable targets that can inform future prevention approaches and improve treatment development for this age range.

What does "mid- to late-life" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, NIH is emphasizing populations older than 35 and focusing on people in midlife and later life, including those diagnosed later as well as those aging with long-standing illness.

What types of disorders are in scope?

The opportunity focuses on schizophrenia and related disorders, including schizophrenia spectrum and related disorders, as described in the program summary.

What kind of grant mechanism is being offered?

The funding mechanism is an NIH R01 research project grant. The funding instrument type is "Grant," and the opportunity category is listed as "Discretionary."

What does "R01-level" mean for applicants?

It means NIH is seeking projects that fit the scope and expectations of an R01 research project grant, as indicated by the opportunity title and description. (Specific budget levels, project periods, and other R01 parameters are not provided in the source information here.)

What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean?

"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose either clinical trial research or non-clinical trial research, depending on what best fits the scientific question, rather than being restricted to one study format.

What does NIH mean by "translational research" in this announcement?

In this announcement, "translational" signals NIH interest in studies that connect mechanisms to outcomes in ways that can ultimately be used in clinical or public health settings. The emphasis is on mechanism-informed work that can help identify measurable targets relevant to prevention and treatment development.

What kinds of research topics or linkages are NIH interested in supporting?

NIH is interested in studies that link mechanistic factors to real-world illness course and heterogeneity in older populations. Examples named in the description include connecting clinical symptoms, cognition, functioning, comorbid medical conditions, neurobiology, biomarkers, or other mechanistic factors to outcomes and trajectories across mid- to late-life.

Does the opportunity prioritize early-onset cases, late-onset cases, or both?

Both are relevant based on the description. NIH explicitly notes interest in individuals newly diagnosed in midlife and those who have lived with schizophrenia spectrum and related disorders for decades.

Is the focus on understanding mechanisms, improving treatments, or prevention?

The immediate focus is on understanding mechanisms and illness trajectory in mid- to late-life through translational research. The longer-term aim is to identify measurable targets that can inform future prevention approaches and improve treatment development for this population.

Is there an emphasis on real-world functioning and heterogeneity?

Yes. The description highlights linking mechanistic factors to real-world illness course and heterogeneity in older populations, including impacts on functioning.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types capable of conducting health research. Eligible applicants include various government entities (state, county, city, township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, non-federally recognized tribal organizations, public and Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted condition regarding nonprofits applying under nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.

Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types. In addition, specific institution categories (such as HBCUs and Hispanic-serving institutions) are explicitly noted as eligible.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, with the condition that they are not institutions of higher education when applying under those nonprofit categories.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are both listed as eligible applicant types.

Are tribal organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized as governments are both listed as eligible.

Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) entities are listed as eligible applicants.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are explicitly listed as eligible.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicant categories.

Are minority-serving institutions explicitly encouraged or included?

They are explicitly included as eligible categories. NIH lists 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).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-25-039, and the CFDA listing provided is 93.242.

What is the opportunity category and funding instrument type?

The opportunity category is "Discretionary," and the funding instrument type is "Grant."

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is described as health-focused in the provided information.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2024-11-18.

What is the closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date provided is 2026-09-07.

How many awards will NIH make, and what is the maximum award size?

An award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data. This can indicate that award counts and budget levels may depend on the scope and merit of applications, available appropriations, and NIH institute priorities during the funding cycles.

What makes this opportunity distinct compared to schizophrenia research focused on earlier adulthood?

This opportunity is specifically centered on mid- to late-life, recognizing aging-related factors, long-term illness effects, and later-onset or later-diagnosed cases. It seeks mechanism-informed research to better explain how the illness begins, evolves, and affects functioning after early adulthood.

What kind of outcomes or impacts is NIH aiming for?

NIH is aiming for stronger, mechanism-informed evidence that can translate into measurable targets for future prevention strategies and improved treatment development, with particular relevance to people experiencing schizophrenia spectrum and related disorders in mid- to late-life.