Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 157

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 157

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting R01 grant applications under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) PAR-20-157, titled "Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's Dementia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." This opportunity focuses on improving the scientific understanding of the mechanisms that drive neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). In practical terms, NIH is looking for research that goes beyond describing symptoms and instead digs into why they emerge, how they progress, and what biological and behavioral pathways are involved.

A central purpose of this FOA is to support studies that clarify the mechanistic underpinnings of NPS through both biobehavioral and neurobiological lenses. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia commonly include issues such as depression, anxiety, agitation, apathy, irritability, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms can strongly affect quality of life, increase caregiver burden, complicate clinical management, and often contribute to earlier institutionalization. NIH is emphasizing mechanism-focused work, meaning proposals should aim to identify causal or explanatory pathways (for example, neural circuit dysfunction, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter changes, stress physiology, or behavioral and environmental triggers) rather than only documenting prevalence or correlational associations.

The FOA also makes clear that successful mechanistic findings should have forward-looking value: results are expected to inform novel therapeutic targets that could eventually be translated into interventions to treat NPS or prevent their development in AD/ADRD. That does not necessarily mean applicants must propose a treatment trial right now, but the work should plausibly point toward actionable targets, strategies, or intervention concepts. The notice explicitly states "Clinical Trial Optional," which signals that applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the mechanistic question, but a clinical trial is not required. This flexibility accommodates a range of approaches, from observational human studies and biomarker-driven mechanistic projects to experimental designs that may include interventions designed to test a mechanism.

In terms of administrative details, this is a discretionary grant program using the NIH R01 mechanism, which typically supports substantial, multi-year research projects. The activity category is Health, and the listed CFDA number is 93.242. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was created on March 31, 2020, and the original closing date shown in the source information is May 7, 2023. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA or NIH institute budgets and paylines for more specific funding expectations.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply to NIH. Eligible applicants listed 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional "other" entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations. This wide eligibility suggests NIH is encouraging diverse institutional participation and collaborations that can bring different populations, settings, and scientific perspectives into NPS mechanism research.

Overall, PAR-20-157 is aimed at moving the field from symptom description to mechanistic explanation for neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD/ADRD, with an emphasis on research that can ultimately open the door to better prevention and treatment strategies. Applicants considering this FOA would typically frame a clear mechanistic hypothesis about NPS, propose rigorous methods to test it (potentially incorporating biomarkers, neuroimaging, physiology, behavioral measurement, or other mechanistic tools), and articulate how the expected results could inform future target development or intervention design.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Mechanism Research on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer's 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): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-07. (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 20 157

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