The Cellular Scale Connectome in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 22 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 22 008

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications under the funding opportunity titled "The Cellular Scale Connectome in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-AG-22-008). This program uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), which generally means NIH staff will have substantial involvement during the project to help coordinate activities, align standards, and support shared goals across awardees. The scientific focus falls under health research (CFDA 93.866), and the work supported is explicitly non-clinical trial in nature.

The core purpose of the FOA is to push forward a detailed, cell-by-cell and circuit-level understanding of brain networks that are vulnerable to Alzheimers disease-related pathology and/or neurodegeneration, specifically using mouse models of Alzheimers disease. Rather than concentrating only on which cell types are affected, the opportunity emphasizes mapping how cells are connected and how those connections change with aging and with AD-like disease processes. In practical terms, the initiative aims to generate a comprehensive characterization of susceptible brain circuits, capturing both the molecular identity of cells and the anatomical wiring that links them into functional networks.

A central expectation is broad data sharing and integration. Applicants are expected to generate and contribute connectome-related datasets into a common reference brain cell atlas that brings together molecular annotations (for example, cell type classifications and gene expression-derived labels) with anatomical annotations (where those cells are located and how they are connected). The idea is that resulting datasets should not remain siloed within individual labs, but instead become interoperable resources that the broader research community can use to compare across models, brain regions, ages, and pathological states.

The FOA also makes clear that it is meant to complement and extend prior work on vulnerable cell types by moving into connectivity and circuit changes. That includes mapping how interactions and synaptic or projection-level relationships between specific cell populations shift over the course of aging and AD-like progression in mice. A major scientific payoff the FOA is trying to enable is a better mechanistic understanding of why some cells, circuits, or network motifs show vulnerability while others show resilience. By tying together molecular cell identity with circuit wiring and its alterations, the program is designed to help identify patterns that may explain susceptibility to degeneration or, conversely, biological features that protect certain cells and connections.

In terms of eligibility, NIH allows a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The announcement additionally highlights eligibility for organizations such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility is consistent with the FOAs emphasis on building shared, atlas-level resources that benefit from diverse expertise and infrastructure.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that the opportunity was created on January 29, 2021, and listed an original closing date of June 15, 2021. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided text, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA to see budget guidance, project period expectations, and any limits tied to particular project components or consortium structures.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Cellular Scale Connectome in Aging and Alzheimers Disease (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AG 22 008

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