Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 22 271

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 22 271

The funding opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" is a discretionary NIH grant announcement (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-22-271; CFDA 93.242) focused on improving what is known about schizophrenia and related disorders specifically in midlife and later life. The central motivation is that most people living with these conditions are over age 35, including people who were diagnosed earlier and are now aging with the illness as well as people whose symptoms and diagnoses emerge later than is often emphasized in research. Despite this large and clinically important segment of the population, the biological and clinical mechanisms that shape how the illness begins, changes, and progresses across mid- to late-life are still not well understood.

The goal of the initiative is to push translational research that can connect mechanistic insights to practical clinical relevance. In other words, the program is looking for studies that help explain the emergence and trajectory of schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life and that can point to specific, measurable targets that might later support prevention strategies or improved treatments. The notice emphasizes identifying targets for future development efforts, which signals interest in work that clarifies pathways, risk processes, protective factors, or modifiable mechanisms rather than only describing symptoms or outcomes in broad terms. Because the mechanism is R21, the intent typically aligns with exploratory or early-stage projects that can generate key preliminary evidence, test feasibility, or open new directions that could later be scaled into larger studies.

Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, meaning applicants may propose projects that include a clinical trial component, but they are not required to do so. This allows a range of translational approaches, from human-subjects studies that probe mechanisms in real-world clinical populations to early intervention, prevention-oriented, or treatment-relevant exploratory trials, as long as the work stays centered on mid- to late-life schizophrenia and related disorders and advances understanding of illness emergence and course in these age ranges.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common domestic applicant types: state, county, and local 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/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized; eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations); and U.S. territories or possessions. Taken together, this signals an intent to encourage participation from a wide variety of research and community settings, including organizations positioned to reach diverse populations and to study aging-related schizophrenia trajectories in different contexts.

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity was created on 2022-09-19 with an original closing date of 2023-02-22. While the source data provided does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the overall structure and language indicate a targeted research initiative intended to strengthen the evidence base around schizophrenia and related disorders in people past early adulthood, with a particular emphasis on translational findings that can inform future prevention and treatment development.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 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 2022-09-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-22. (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 RFA MH 22 271

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