Basic and Translational Research on Decision Making in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (R01) | PAR 16 448

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 448

The Basic and Translational Research on Decision Making in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (R01) funding opportunity (PAR-16-448) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program focused on improving scientific understanding of how decision making changes with normal aging and how it is altered by Alzheimer's disease (AD). The central aim is to support basic research that carefully describes and explains the emotional (affective), thinking-related (cognitive), social, and motivational components that shape both intact and impaired decision making in older adulthood, including in people with AD. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for studies that clarify what processes remain resilient with age, what processes decline, and how AD may produce a different pattern of decision-making impairment than typical aging.

A major emphasis of the opportunity is on identifying the behavioral and neural mechanisms that underlie decision making and determining how those mechanisms are differentially affected in normal aging versus Alzheimer's disease. This includes research that connects observable decision behavior (for example, risk evaluation, reward learning, delay discounting, susceptibility to framing effects, or consistency of preferences) to underlying brain systems and basic cognitive operations (such as memory, attention, executive function, valuation, and emotion regulation). The translational angle is reflected in the expectation that investigators will link foundational theory and measurement to real-world outcomes, helping to move from lab-based paradigms toward insights that can eventually inform assessment, prevention, and intervention strategies.

The FOA also explicitly encourages research that examines social influences on decision making in later life. That can include how interpersonal context, social support, loneliness, social cognition, trust, persuasion, authority cues, and caregiver or family dynamics affect choices and judgment. Because many high-stakes decisions among older adults happen in social settings (medical decisions, financial decisions, living arrangements, and consent-related situations), the announcement highlights the need to understand how social factors interact with cognitive change and disease processes to shape decision outcomes.

Another core priority is research on vulnerability to financial exploitation, mistreatment, and abuse, including understanding why some older adults, with or without cognitive impairment, are more susceptible to scams, coercion, undue influence, or deceptive decision environments. The FOA is interested in the decision-making features that increase vulnerability, such as impaired risk perception, reduced ability to detect deception, changes in trust calibration, difficulties learning from negative outcomes, reduced capacity to manage complex information, or motivational shifts that may increase compliance or reduce skepticism. This focus positions the program not only within aging and dementia science, but also within a broader public health and protective-services context, where better measurement and mechanistic understanding can support earlier identification of risk and more effective safeguards.

From an administrative standpoint, this is an R01 grant mechanism under the NIH health research category (CFDA 93.866). The original closing date listed for the opportunity is January 23, 2018, and the FOA record indicates it was created on September 23, 2016. Specific award ceiling and expected award counts are not provided in the source text, which often means applicants must consult the full FOA and NIH institute guidance for budget expectations, paylines, and program priorities at the time of submission.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public and private organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA additionally calls out several categories of "other eligible applicants," underscoring an interest in diverse institutional participation and community-relevant perspectives. These include 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.

Overall, this grant opportunity is designed to deepen the science of decision making in later life by integrating behavioral theory, cognitive and affective measurement, social context, and neuroscience, with a strong eye toward real-world consequences such as autonomy, safety, and protection from exploitation. The projects sought under this FOA would typically aim to distinguish normal age-related decision changes from AD-related impairments, explain how social environments shape those decisions, and identify the mechanisms that can be targeted to reduce harm and support healthier, safer decision making among older adults.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic and Translational Research on Decision Making in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (R01)" 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 2016-09-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-23. (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 PAR 16 448

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: