Description

This NIH opportunity solicits R01 research project applications to investigate the relationship between social disconnection—including both objective social isolation and perceived isolation (loneliness)—and suicide risk in late life. The focus is on identifying neurobiological, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental mechanisms that increase risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among older adults. The program encourages mechanistic studies, experimental therapeutics approaches to intervention development, and research on modifying or developing service delivery models to enhance social connection and prevent suicide in late life.

Key areas of interest include:

• Mechanistic studies at multiple levels (neurobiological, behavioral, environmental)
• Identification of modifiable risk and protective factors
• Development and testing of interventions using experimental therapeutics frameworks
• Innovations in healthcare and community-based service delivery to support at-risk older adults
• Addressing health disparities and intersectionality in late-life suicide risk

Clinical trials are optional but must be mechanistic (i.e., designed to understand mechanisms, not to test efficacy or effectiveness of interventions).