Frequently Asked Questions for RFA-AG-23-022 and RFA-AG-23-023: Measures and Methods for Research on Family Caregivers for People Living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)
Funding Opportunity RFA-AG-23-022 (R01)
Funding Opportunity RFA-AG-23-023 (R21)
1. What is the overall goal of these Funding Opportunity Announcements?
The goal of these FOAs is to develop methods and measures for capturing expanded definitions of “family” and related concepts relevant to informal caregiving for people living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD), and for the implementation of these measures in new and existing studies.
2. What are the research objectives?
These companion FOAs support the development of methods and measures for capturing expanded definitions of “family” and related concepts relevant to informal caregiving for people living with AD/ADRD, and for the testing of these measures in populations underrepresented in AD/ADRD research. RFA-AG-23-022 invites Research Project Grant (R01) applications, including those that propose the implementation of new measures and methods into nationally-representative studies with existing family caregiver measures. Applications with preliminary data are encouraged to apply to RFA-AG-23-022. High-risk/high-payoff projects that lack preliminary data as well as those focused on the pilot development and testing of survey tools may be more appropriate for RFA-AG-23-023.
Potential measures include, but are not limited to, those that capture the following:
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Population heterogeneity in how individuals define “family”
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Sense of obligation for caregiving, expectations of care to be given or received, and other aspects of the positive and negative “content” of relationships relevant for caregiving such as trust in family members and concerns about burden that are not captured by standard social support measures, as well as relationship closeness indicators such as estrangement
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Dynamic aspects of relationships salient to caregiving, such as changes over time (or life course stage) in relationship quality or in who people expect/prefer will care for them versus who actually provides care
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Geographically proximate and distal family connections
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Step-kin, ex-kin, fictive kin
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Relationships that are alternatives to marriage, including living apart together (LAT) and cohabitation
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Attitudes, beliefs, and resources relevant for paid caregiving as a substitute or complement to unpaid family caregiving
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Self-identification of sexual and gender minority status in conjunction with the measures above
Methodological developments include but are not limited to the following:
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Tools across survey modes (e.g., web, telephone, mobile devices) to comprehensively capture family relationships in ways that do not overburden respondents
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Longitudinal analytical approaches to dynamically assess changes in family structure/composition and function relevant to caregiving
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Network-level approaches to characterize families and individuals’ ties to unpaid care partners
Populations of interest include, but are not limited to, the following health disparity populations:
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Sexual and gender minority individuals
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Low-socioeconomic individuals
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Racial and ethnic minorities
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Immigrant groups
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People living alone
Applicants are encouraged to refer to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Health Disparities Research Framework to learn about NIA priority populations, the integration of multi-level factors, and the incorporation of a life course perspective.
3. Are there any resources I can reference while developing my application?
Yes. Please reference the below resources.
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NASEM's Decadal Survey of Behavioral and Social Science Research on AD/ADRD. The committee conducted a decadal survey focusing on developing a research agenda for the next decade in the behavioral and social sciences as it relates to AD/ADRD. Drawing on extensive input from the scientific community and other stakeholders, the committee assessed the role of the social and behavioral sciences, including data sources and other resources, in reducing the burden of AD/ADRD.
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2020 National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers. The goal of the Summit was to bring together individuals with a variety of backgrounds to identify evidence-based programs, strategies, approaches, and other research that can be used to improve the care, services, and supports of persons living with AAD/ADRD and their care partners.
4. When are applications due?
There is a single receipt date for both RFAs: October 20, 2022. No late applications will be accepted (try to submit the application a few days prior to the deadline so that you can make changes, if needed).
5. How many projects will be funded?
NIA intends to commit $3,960,000 in fiscal year 2023 to fund up to 6 awards for RFA-AG-23-022 and $1,361,500 in fiscal year 2023 to fund up to 6 awards for RFA-AG-23-023.
6. Is a letter of intent required?
Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIA staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.
By September 20, 2022, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:
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Descriptive title of proposed activity
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Names(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
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Names of other key personnel
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Participating institution(s)
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Number and title of the funding opportunity being applied to (RFA-AG-23-022 or RFA-AG-23-023)
The letter of intent should be sent to:
Amelia Karraker, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-3136
Email: Amelia.Karraker@nih.gov
7. How do I know if I should apply to RFA-AG-23-022 or RFA-AG-23-023?
RFA-AG-23-022 and RFA-AG-23-023 are companion announcements. RFA-AG-23-022 invites Research Project Grant (R01) applications. Applications with preliminary data are encouraged to apply to RFA-AG-23-022, while high-risk/high-payoff projects that lack preliminary data may be more appropriate for RFA-AG-23-023. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Amelia Karraker before submission to discuss which activity code may be more appropriate for their specific project.
8. Is my application responsive?
Applications that do not clearly articulate the proposed project’s relevance to caregiving for people living with AD/ADRD will be considered non-responsive to this FOA and will be withdrawn prior to review.
9. Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities and Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply for RFA-AG-23-022.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are also allowed for RFA-AG-23-022.
RFA-AG-23-023 does not allow non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations.
10. Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Investigators are highly encouraged to contact Dr. Karraker during the planning phases of an application.
Amelia Karraker, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-3136
Email: Amelia.Karraker@nih.gov