This Notice is to inform applicants that NIA has joined the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases entitled "Functions of Skeletal Muscle Beyond Contraction" (PA-12-208 [1]) and encourages R01 applications for support of innovative, exploratory/developmental projects aimed at studying the effects, mechanisms and influence of aging on the spectrum of activities of skeletal muscle in health and disease that are beyond its classical role in contraction and locomotion. These activities include endocrine and paracrine functions of skeletal muscle, resting muscle thermogenesis, sensing of biomechanical stimuli, storing amino acids, regulating systemic metabolism, etc. Advancing understanding of the role of aging in these important functions of muscle may lead to novel strategies for the prevention or treatment of common conditions such as cachexia, obesity, diabetes and sarcopenia.