Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 22 020
This funding opportunity, RFA-AG-22-020, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant solicitation using the R01 mechanism, with clinical trials allowed but not required ("Clinical Trial Optional"). It sits in the health funding category (CFDA 93.866) and focuses on a very specific problem in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD): what happens in real-world clinical encounters when the patient, the clinician, and a care partner (often a family caregiver) are all part of the conversation. The central idea is that care quality and patient and caregiver well-being can rise or fall based on how well these three parties communicate, coordinate, and maintain supportive relationships as the disease progresses across settings and stages.
The overarching goal is to support research that can lead to interventions that improve communication among people with AD/ADRD, their caregivers, and health care practitioners, while also helping preserve strong, supportive caregiving relationships over time and across the continuum of care. In practice, that means the NIH is looking for studies that do more than simply describe challenges; they want work that generates actionable knowledge and, ideally, feeds into tools, strategies, or programs that clinicians and families can actually use. The initiative explicitly invites both basic research (for example, understanding the mechanisms of interaction, decision-making dynamics, or conversational patterns) and translational research (for example, adapting and testing approaches that can be implemented in clinical workflows or caregiving contexts).
The solicitation highlights two high-priority research areas. The first is effective communication and relationship functioning among patients, health care practitioners, and caregivers during clinical encounters. This can include studying how information is exchanged, how decisions are made, how autonomy and dignity are supported, how symptoms and needs are communicated when cognition is impaired, and how care partners are integrated without overshadowing the patient. It can also cover the relational side of clinical interactions, such as trust, alignment on goals of care, managing conflict, or reducing misunderstandings that can lead to poor adherence, fragmented care, or avoidable stress for families.
The second priority area centers on the links between close relationship processes and health outcomes within caregiving relationships. This recognizes that the caregiver-patient relationship is not just a background factor; it can directly shape health, safety, emotional well-being, care planning, and the ability to navigate health systems. Research in this area might examine how relationship qualities such as reciprocity, strain, communication styles, emotional support, or shared coping relate to outcomes like caregiver burden, depression and anxiety, patient behavioral symptoms, healthcare utilization, or the effectiveness of treatment and care plans. The intention is to build a clearer understanding of which relationship processes matter most and how they can be strengthened through targeted interventions as dementia progresses.
In terms of applicant eligibility, the opportunity is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This wide eligibility is consistent with the topic’s real-world relevance and the need for studies that can reflect diverse clinical settings and populations.
Key administrative details included in the source information are that the awarding agency is the NIH, the funding instrument is a grant, the original closing date listed was 2021-06-23, and an award ceiling of $500,000 is noted in the opportunity details. Overall, the grant is designed to catalyze rigorous, intervention-oriented research that improves triadic communication and supports healthier caregiving relationships, ultimately aiming to improve experiences and outcomes for people living with AD/ADRD and the care partners and clinicians who support them.Apply for RFA AG 22 020
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Triadic Interactions in Clinical Encounters Involving People with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), Clinicians, and Care Partners (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 2021-03-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - RFA-AG-22-020
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity is identified as RFA-AG-22-020.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism.
Is this a discretionary grant solicitation?
Yes. The opportunity is described as an NIH discretionary grant solicitation.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the health or program category associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is in the health funding category and is associated with CFDA 93.866.
What disease area or condition does this opportunity focus on?
This opportunity focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD).
What is the central research problem this grant is trying to address?
The focus is on what happens during real-world clinical encounters when three parties are involved: the patient with AD/ADRD, the clinician, and a care partner (often a family caregiver). The opportunity emphasizes that care quality and patient/caregiver well-being can depend heavily on how well these three parties communicate, coordinate, and maintain supportive relationships as the disease progresses across settings and stages.
What is meant by "triadic" communication in this opportunity?
In this context, triadic communication refers to communication and interaction during clinical encounters that involve the patient, the health care practitioner, and the caregiver/care partner.
What is the overarching goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to support research that can lead to interventions that improve communication among people with AD/ADRD, their caregivers, and health care practitioners, while also helping preserve strong, supportive caregiving relationships over time and across the continuum of care.
Does the NIH want descriptive studies, or are they looking for more actionable research?
Based on the description provided, the NIH is looking for studies that go beyond simply describing challenges. The emphasis is on generating actionable knowledge that can feed into tools, strategies, or programs that clinicians and families can actually use.
Are both basic and translational research approaches encouraged?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly invites both basic research (such as understanding mechanisms of interaction, decision-making dynamics, or conversational patterns) and translational research (such as adapting and testing approaches that can be implemented in clinical workflows or caregiving contexts).
Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. Clinical trials are allowed but not required. The opportunity is described as "Clinical Trial Optional."
What are the high-priority research areas highlighted in the solicitation?
Two priority areas are highlighted: (1) effective communication and relationship functioning among patients, health care practitioners, and caregivers during clinical encounters, and (2) links between close relationship processes and health outcomes within caregiving relationships.
What topics fall under the first high-priority area (communication and relationship functioning in clinical encounters)?
Examples mentioned include how information is exchanged, how decisions are made, how autonomy and dignity are supported, how symptoms and needs are communicated when cognition is impaired, and how care partners are integrated without overshadowing the patient. It also includes relational aspects such as trust, alignment on goals of care, managing conflict, and reducing misunderstandings that can lead to poor adherence, fragmented care, or avoidable stress for families.
What topics fall under the second high-priority area (relationship processes and health outcomes within caregiving relationships)?
This area treats the caregiver-patient relationship as a factor that can shape health, safety, emotional well-being, care planning, and the ability to navigate health systems. Examples include studying how reciprocity, strain, communication styles, emotional support, and shared coping relate to outcomes such as caregiver burden, depression/anxiety, patient behavioral symptoms, health care utilization, or the effectiveness of treatment and care plans.
What kinds of outcomes does the opportunity suggest researchers might measure?
Outcomes mentioned include caregiver burden, depression and anxiety, patient behavioral symptoms, health care utilization, and the effectiveness of treatment and care plans. The description also emphasizes overall care quality, coordination, adherence, and avoidable stress for families.
Does the opportunity emphasize maintaining supportive relationships over time?
Yes. The solicitation highlights preserving strong, supportive caregiving relationships over time and across the continuum of care as dementia progresses.
Does the opportunity care about real-world clinical workflow and implementable approaches?
Yes. In addition to understanding the underlying mechanisms of communication and decision-making, the description emphasizes translational work that can be implemented in clinical workflows or caregiving contexts.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include many types of U.S.-based organizations and certain non-U.S. entities, including state/county/local 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; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible applicants?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed as eligible applicant categories.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically called out as eligible?
Yes. The opportunity calls out several categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility information includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and also notes tribal governments other than federally recognized, as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are included, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are included, with the condition noted that they are not institutions of higher education.
What is the listed award ceiling for this opportunity?
The opportunity details note an award ceiling of $500,000.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed in the provided information is 2021-06-23.
What is the main practical impact this grant is trying to achieve?
The grant is designed to catalyze rigorous, intervention-oriented research that improves triadic communication and supports healthier caregiving relationships, with the aim of improving experiences and outcomes for people living with AD/ADRD as well as their care partners and clinicians.
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