Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 21 024

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 21 024

The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) grant opportunity (RFA-AG-21-024) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding program that supports the creation or continued development of OAICs, which are institutional centers of excellence focused on geriatrics research and research education. The core purpose is to expand scientific knowledge that leads to better ways to maintain, improve, or restore independence in older adults. In practice, these awards are meant to help an institution build or strengthen a sustained, high-impact program in a clearly defined, key area of aging research that aligns with the OAIC mission, rather than funding isolated projects with no long-term center strategy.

This opportunity uses the P30 center grant mechanism, which typically emphasizes shared infrastructure and coordinated research resources rather than standalone investigator-initiated studies. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that clinical trials may be included if relevant to the center's aims, but they are not mandatory. The overall emphasis is on building a strong, durable platform for aging-related research and training, including collaborative capacity, mentorship, and research education that can accelerate progress in geriatrics and independence-focused outcomes for older people.

The funding is categorized as a discretionary grant in the health area (CFDA 93.866), offered by NIH. The listed award ceiling is $950,000, indicating the maximum budget level anticipated per award under this announcement. The original application closing date shown is October 29, 2020, and the posting was created June 8, 2020. While the notice lists "ExpectedAwards" without a number, the intent is clearly competitive center-level support rather than broad formula funding.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. This signals an intent to encourage applications from a wide range of institutions, including those serving populations that have historically been underrepresented in biomedical research.

Foreign participation is limited in a way that is typical for many NIH center programs. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization can, in some circumstances, include specific foreign collaborations or elements when they are well-justified and meet NIH policy requirements. The practical takeaway is that the applicant institution must be U.S.-based and eligible, but carefully structured international collaborations may still be possible under NIH rules.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as support for an organized, institutionally anchored geriatrics research center that can coordinate research, shared resources, and training activities to push forward a focused area of aging science tied to functional independence. It is aimed at strengthening long-term capacity and leadership in aging research, not just funding a single study, and it is designed to produce durable improvements in how the research community understands and supports independence among 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 2020-06-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-10-29. (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 $950,000.00 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 21 024

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