Comparative Research on Determinants of Differences Among Human and Nonhuman Primate Species in Life Spans, Life Histories, and Other Aging-Related Outcomes, and Prospects for Translation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 24 019

FAQs: NIH RFA-AG-24-019 (R01) - Comparative Primate Approaches to Longevity and Aging

1) What is the focus of this NIH funding opportunity (RFA-AG-24-019)?

This NIH opportunity supports R01 research projects that use comparative approaches across humans and nonhuman primates to understand why different primate species have different life spans, life histories, and aging-related outcomes. The core concept is that natural variation among primate species can act like a biological experiment for identifying mechanisms that shape life span and health span.

2) What types of research questions is NIH trying to answer through this FOA?

The FOA prioritizes research aimed at identifying factors that vary across primate species and may explain differences in longevity, health span, and aging trajectories. A major emphasis is understanding why humans generally live longer than many other primates, but projects do not have to be limited to that single comparison.

3) Does the project have to compare humans and nonhuman primates?

The FOA supports comparative approaches across humans and nonhuman primates. Proposed studies should be clearly designed to interpret cross-species differences tied to aging, longevity, and related life-history traits.

4) What does NIH mean by "comparative approaches" in this announcement?

Comparative approaches refer to study designs that explicitly examine differences (and potentially similarities) across primate species, including humans, to identify mechanisms associated with life span, health span, and aging-related outcomes. The comparison is expected to be central to the logic of the project rather than a minor add-on.

5) Can applicants propose generating new data under this FOA?

Yes. The FOA invites studies that generate new data, including primary in vivo or in vitro work such as biological measurements collected directly from organisms or cells, laboratory assays, and comparative molecular or physiological profiling, as long as the work supports the comparative aging/longevity goals.

6) Can applicants rely on existing datasets or previously collected biospecimens?

Yes. The FOA explicitly allows strong use of existing resources, including analyses of existing datasets and/or previously collected biospecimens. Examples mentioned include archived samples and longitudinal records from primate research colonies, field studies, or human cohorts, provided the comparative design is clearly aimed at cross-species aging and longevity questions.

7) Are both in vivo and in vitro studies allowed?

Yes. The FOA notes that applicants can propose primary in vivo or in vitro work. The key requirement is that the work meaningfully supports cross-species comparisons relevant to aging, longevity, and life-history traits.

8) What does the FOA mean by "prospects for translation"?

NIH is looking for proposals that go beyond describing species differences and instead connect comparative findings to hypotheses about mechanisms that could eventually inform human aging biology and interventions. Translation here can include identifying conserved pathways, protective adaptations, or modifiable risk factors suggested by primate comparisons that merit follow-up in human studies or preclinical models; it does not require immediate clinical application.

9) Does "translation" require a clinical application or a clinical trial?

No. The FOA frames translation broadly. It can involve mechanistic insights and prioritization of pathways or adaptations for later investigation. In addition, the announcement states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means the proposed research should not include a clinical trial as defined by NIH.

10) What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for this funding opportunity?

Based on the information provided, the research should not include prospective assignment of human participants to interventions to evaluate health outcomes as a clinical trial. The FOA still allows the use of human data and biospecimens and permits observational designs, but applicants should stay within NIH definition boundaries that distinguish observational/mechanistic studies from clinical trials.

11) Can projects include human cohort data?

Yes. The FOA indicates that applicants can use human data, biospecimens, and observational designs, provided the study does not cross into clinical trial territory and the comparative framework remains focused on cross-species differences tied to aging and longevity.

12) Can projects use samples or records from primate research colonies or field studies?

Yes. The FOA mentions re-analysis of archived samples and longitudinal records from primate research colonies and field studies as examples of eligible resource use, as long as the comparative design addresses aging, longevity, and related life-history traits.

13) What grant mechanism is being offered?

This is an R01 funding opportunity. R01s typically support substantial, multi-year research programs with well-developed aims, rigorous methods, and strong analytical plans.

14) Which agency is sponsoring this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

15) What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?

The activity category is Health.

16) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA/Assistance Listing number provided is 93.866.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic and international organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other categories listed in the FOA summary.

18) Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA summary explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.

19) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. The summary includes U.S. territories or possessions as eligible applicants.

20) Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types (for example, minority-serving institutions)?

Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, and regional organizations.

21) Are for-profit entities and small businesses eligible?

Yes. The provided summary lists for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits, as eligible applicants.

22) Are nonprofit organizations eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The summary states nonprofit organizations are eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status.

23) Is the award ceiling or number of expected awards provided in the summary?

No. The provided summary states that no award ceiling or expected number of awards is specified.

24) Where should applicants look for details on budgets, allowable costs, and funding expectations?

Because the summary does not include an award ceiling or expected number of awards, applicants are expected to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for the most accurate information on funding expectations, allowable costs, and any institute-specific priorities tied to aging research.

25) What are the key dates listed in the provided opportunity summary?

The opportunity was created on 2023-02-10, and the original closing date listed is 2023-09-27.