Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 16, 2025 (New) | July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | October 16, 2025 (New) | November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | February 16, 2026 (New) | March 16, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | June 16, 2026 (New) | July 16, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
Funding Amounts: Up to $275,000 direct costs over 2 years; no more than $200,000 in any single year; project period max 2 years.
Summary: Supports translational research to understand the emergence and trajectory of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders in individuals aged 35 and older, aiming to identify targets for prevention and treatment.
Key Information: Applications must focus on mid- to late-life (≥35 years); non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are eligible; clinical trial optional; strict data sharing via NIMH Data Archive required.
Description
This NIH funding opportunity supports exploratory/developmental (R21) research projects that advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying the emergence, trajectory, and outcomes of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders in mid- to late-life (defined as age 35 and above). The goal is to identify neurobiological, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental mechanisms that can inform future prevention and intervention strategies for this population.
Research may address first-episode psychosis in mid- to late-life, mechanisms of symptom progression, risk of dementia, accelerated biological aging, social determinants of health, resilience, and recovery. Projects may use innovative methods, including neuroimaging, computational approaches, and multi-level analyses, but must not be limited to a single level of analysis.
This opportunity is open to both clinical trial and non-clinical trial applications. Projects that are high-risk/high-reward and lack preliminary data are especially encouraged under the R21 mechanism.
Due Dates
- New Applications: June 16, 2025 | October 16, 2025 | February 16, 2026 | June 16, 2026
- Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: July 16, 2025 | November 16, 2025 | March 16, 2026 | July 16, 2026
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The final expiration date for this opportunity is September 8, 2026.
Funding Amount
- Direct Costs: Up to $275,000 total for the two-year project period.
- Annual Limit: No more than $200,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year.
- Project Period: Maximum of 2 years.
- Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Public/State and Private Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
- State, county, city, township, and special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)
- Faith-based and community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories and possessions
- Eligible agencies of the federal government
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and foreign components of U.S. organizations
Note: Applications must focus on populations aged 35 and older. Applications targeting populations under 35, or those not including human subjects, are non-responsive.
Application Process
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
- Required Registrations: Applicant organizations must have active registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. PDs/PIs must have an eRA Commons account.
- Application Guide: Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and the specific instructions in the funding announcement.
- Forms: Use SF424 (R&R) forms, including the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form if applicable.
- Data Sharing: All funded investigators are expected to share data via the NIMH Data Archive (NDA), with costs for data submission included in the budget.
- Page Limits: Adhere to NIH standard page limits unless otherwise specified.
Additional Information
Research Scope
- Must focus on schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders in individuals aged 35 and older.
- Encouraged to address minority health and health disparities populations.
- Projects must integrate multiple levels of analysis (e.g., biological, behavioral, psychosocial).
- Stand-alone technology development is not supported; new methods must address a scientific question relevant to the NOFO.
- Projects evaluating safety, clinical efficacy, or effectiveness are not responsive (see NIMH Clinical Trials FOAs).
Non-Responsive Areas
- Studies focused on populations under 35 years of age.
- Studies of psychosis in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s).
- Mechanistic studies limited to a single level of analysis.
- Applications not including human subjects.
Data Management
- A Data Management and Sharing Plan is required.
- Data must be submitted to the NIMH Data Archive semi-annually and at publication or project end.
Review Criteria
- Emphasis on conceptual framework, innovation, and potential for significant impact.
- Preliminary data are not required for R21 applications.
- Applications will be peer-reviewed for scientific and technical merit.
External Links
Contact Information
For additional contacts, see Section VII. Agency Contacts in the full announcement.