Research Grant Mechanisms
Summary of Major NIA Support Mechanisms
NIA's extramural programs support a variety of research project grant mechanisms appropriate for individuals with different levels of experience and who conduct different types of research. For most mechanisms, principal investigators must be conducting research at the postdoctoral level. Specific grant mechanisms are available for researchers beginning their career; other mechanisms are available for midcareer and senior researchers.
Early Stage and New Investigators: R01 applications from Early stage and New investigators will be considered among NIA's highest priorities in the use of discretionary funds to make awards selectively. Therefore, such applications may be funded out of strict percentile order. NIA encourages Early stage and New investigators to review the payline information described on our funding policy.
Other mechanisms support a multidisciplinary team of researchers and may involve cooperation among three or more investigators addressing a common theme. Such mechanisms are: (1) Program Project Grants, (2) Center Grants, and (3) Cooperative Research Studies. Applicants should discuss plans with the appropriate NIA program staff prior to submitting a proposal. The individual content areas of research on aging (e.g, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, demography) that are supported by the Institute are described in NIA's Research Programs.
Administrative Supplements: NIH has a published notice of funding opportunity for administrative supplements to ongoing awards. The notice now allows Administrative Supplement requests to be submitted electronically for most of the parent award’s activity code and provides detailed instruction on the two kinds of electronic submission possible.
For research awards (e.g., R01, P01, U01, U19, R03, R15, R21, R33, R34, R37) the National Institute on Aging (NIA) continues to accept Administrative Supplement applications to cover expenses pertaining to emergencies, or unpredictable cost changes, or to exploit an unexpected opportunity that fits within the funded scope of the work, or to take advantage of a new technology. Administrative Supplements to Center awards (P30, P50) are also available for similar purposes. Only under exceptional circumstances are Administrative Supplements available for other kinds of award (training, fellowships, career development, scientific-meetings, and education- and resource-related activities). However, NIA stresses that funding for Administrative Supplements is very limited and strongly encourages investigators to contact their Program Officer prior to submitting the Administrative Supplement to check on available funds for the award. Investigators seeking support for Administrative Supplements to promote diversity in health-related research or to promote re-entry into biomedical and behavioral research careers should contact Dr. Kenneth Santora Director of the Division of Extramural Activities.
For general information about NIA's extramural programs, please email the Division of Extramural Activities.
NIA supports the following research grant mechanisms:
For more information, see the following:
- Current Funding Opportunities
- Program Project (P01) Policies and Guidelines
- Grants Tutorial (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
