Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 588
This funding opportunity, titled "Assistive Technology for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR 18 588), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program designed to spur research and development of practical technologies that support people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), along with the caregivers or care partners who support them. The central aim is to improve health, safety, independence, and overall quality of life while also helping reduce illness, disability, and the everyday burdens that dementia can place on both patients and families.
The FOA is especially focused on assistive technologies that address common and high-impact challenges in dementia care. A major area of interest is psychosocial support: tools that can help improve mood, reduce loneliness, and strengthen social connection, communication, and engagement. Another key priority is stress reduction for either the person with dementia, the caregiver, or both. The announcement specifically points to approaches like biofeedback or other behaviorally oriented therapeutic supports, suggesting interest in technologies that can detect stress states and respond with interventions or guidance. The FOA also highlights care management and support for activities of daily living, meaning solutions that make it easier to coordinate care tasks, maintain routines, support safe daily functioning, and reduce the friction of day-to-day caregiving demands.
A notable feature of the opportunity is its emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, reflecting how complex dementia care challenges are in real life. Applicants are encouraged to build teams that bridge clinical and technical expertise, such as geriatricians (especially those experienced with cognitive impairment and dementia), psychologists, neurologists, and experts in computer science and engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, and software). The expectation is that strong proposals will pair a real understanding of patient and caregiver needs with the ability to design, build, and test technology that can be used outside of a lab setting, in homes and communities, and across diverse populations.
Applications are expected to show clear potential for broad public health impact and should make a strong case that the proposed technology meets four practical characteristics. First, it should be innovative, meaning it offers a meaningful new approach rather than a minor upgrade of existing tools. Second, it must be efficacious and effective, indicating that the project should be positioned to demonstrate measurable benefit, with credible evidence generation plans that can support real-world use (and clinical trials are allowed but not required). Third, it should be scalable, meaning it can be produced, deployed, and maintained widely without requiring specialized resources that would limit adoption. Fourth, it should be low-cost, reflecting a strong interest in affordability and accessibility so that solutions can reach the large and growing population affected by ADRD without creating prohibitive financial barriers.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, this is a discretionary grant mechanism under NIH, categorized under health and associated with CFDA 93.866. The eligible applicant pool is small businesses, consistent with SBIR requirements, and the funding mechanism is the NIH R43/R44 pathway, which typically supports early-stage feasibility and later-stage development in phases. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. However, certain "foreign components" may be permitted under NIH policy definitions, so applicants with any international involvement would need to align carefully with NIH Grants Policy Statement rules and the FOA's specific eligibility language. The opportunity was created on January 26, 2018, and the original closing date listed is January 8, 2020, which signals that this particular posting may be historical; applicants would typically check NIH and the FOA record for the most current submission dates, reissues, or related active opportunities.
Overall, the program is aimed at helping small businesses translate promising ideas into usable assistive technologies that meaningfully support daily life with dementia. The strongest fit is likely for products or platforms that address real caregiver and patient pain points, can be validated with credible outcomes, and have a realistic path to broad, affordable deployment.Apply for PAR 18 588
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assistive Technology for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers (R43/R44 - 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 2018-01-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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FAQs: Assistive Technology for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR 18 588)
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
This NIH SBIR funding opportunity supports research and development of practical assistive technologies for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and for the caregivers or care partners who support them. The goal is to improve health, safety, independence, and overall quality of life, while reducing illness, disability, and the day-to-day burdens associated with dementia.
Who is this grant intended to help?
The intended beneficiaries are (1) people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and (2) their caregivers or care partners. Projects can target one group or both, as long as the technology meaningfully supports dementia-related needs in real-world settings.
What types of projects or technologies are a strong fit?
The FOA emphasizes assistive technologies that address common, high-impact challenges in dementia care, including psychosocial support, stress reduction, and care management and activities of daily living support. Solutions that can be used in homes and community settings and that serve diverse populations are aligned with the stated priorities.
What does the FOA mean by "psychosocial support" technologies?
Psychosocial support refers to tools designed to improve mood, reduce loneliness, and strengthen social connection, communication, engagement, and overall emotional well-being for a person with dementia and/or their caregiver.
Is stress reduction specifically called out as an area of interest?
Yes. Stress reduction is a highlighted priority for either the person with dementia, the caregiver, or both. The FOA specifically mentions approaches such as biofeedback and other behaviorally oriented therapeutic supports, including technologies that detect stress states and respond with interventions or guidance.
Does the opportunity support care management or daily living support tools?
Yes. The FOA highlights care management and support for activities of daily living, including solutions that help coordinate care tasks, maintain routines, support safe daily functioning, and reduce friction in everyday caregiving demands.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this opportunity ("Clinical Trial Optional"), meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required.
What funding mechanism is used for this program?
This opportunity uses the NIH SBIR R43/R44 pathway, which commonly supports early-stage feasibility and later-stage development in phases.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are small businesses, consistent with SBIR requirements.
Are foreign institutions allowed to apply?
No. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Can a U.S. organization include non-U.S. components?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, based on the eligibility language summarized for this FOA.
Are any international activities allowed at all?
Possibly. The FOA notes that certain "foreign components" may be permitted under NIH policy definitions. If a project involves any international involvement, it would need to align carefully with NIH Grants Policy Statement rules and the FOA's specific eligibility language.
What does NIH say about multidisciplinary teams for this opportunity?
The FOA emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration. Applicants are encouraged to build teams that combine clinical and technical expertise, such as geriatricians (especially with cognitive impairment and dementia experience), psychologists, neurologists, and computer science or engineering experts (mechanical, electrical, and software).
What characteristics does NIH expect strong technologies to demonstrate?
The FOA indicates that proposed technologies should make a strong case for four practical characteristics: (1) innovative (a meaningful new approach, not a minor upgrade), (2) efficacious and effective (positioned to demonstrate measurable benefit with credible evidence generation plans), (3) scalable (can be produced, deployed, and maintained widely without specialized resource constraints), and (4) low-cost (affordable and accessible for broad adoption).
What does "innovative" mean in the context of this FOA?
Innovation is described as offering a meaningful new approach rather than a small incremental improvement to existing tools.
What does "efficacious and effective" imply for an application?
It implies the project should be positioned to demonstrate measurable benefits and include credible plans for evidence generation that support real-world use. Clinical trials are allowed but not required.
What does "scalable" mean here?
Scalable means the technology can be produced, deployed, and maintained widely without needing specialized resources that would limit adoption.
Why is "low-cost" emphasized?
Low-cost is emphasized to promote affordability and accessibility so that solutions can reach the large and growing population affected by ADRD without creating prohibitive financial barriers.
Where are technologies expected to be used?
The FOA highlights use outside of lab settings, specifically in homes and communities, and across diverse populations.
What public health impact is NIH looking for?
Applications are expected to show clear potential for broad public health impact by meaningfully improving outcomes related to health, safety, independence, and quality of life for people with ADRD and/or reducing caregiver burden.
Which agency and program is sponsoring this opportunity?
The sponsor is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the program is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant opportunity.
How is the opportunity categorized administratively?
It is described as a discretionary grant mechanism under NIH, categorized under health, and associated with CFDA 93.866.
What is the FOA number and title?
The FOA is PAR 18 588, titled "Assistive Technology for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)."
Is this FOA still open?
The summary notes the opportunity was created on January 26, 2018, and lists an original closing date of January 8, 2020. That suggests the posting may be historical, and applicants would typically verify the current status, submission dates, and any reissues or related active opportunities through NIH and the official FOA record.
What is the main takeaway for applicants considering this opportunity?
The program is aimed at helping small businesses translate promising ideas into usable assistive technologies that address real patient and caregiver pain points, can be validated with credible outcomes, and have a realistic path to broad, affordable deployment.
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| Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 596 Funding Number: PAR 18 596 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Coordination Center for Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 19 001 Funding Number: RFA HL 19 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $320,000 |
| Programs to Increase Diversity Among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 19 002 Funding Number: RFA HL 19 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Methods Development in Natural Products Chemistry (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 608 Funding Number: PAR 18 608 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Methods Development in Natural Products Chemistry (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 607 Funding Number: PA 18 607 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Novel and Emerging Technologies for Cryogenic or Long-term Preservation and Revival of Drosophila and Zebrafish Genetic Stocks (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 610 Funding Number: PA 18 610 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Career Transition Award for Intramural Fellows (K22 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for PA 18 613 Funding Number: PA 18 613 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R44) - Clinical Trial Required Apply for PAR 18 618 Funding Number: PAR 18 618 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R42) - Clinical Trial Required Apply for PAR 18 617 Funding Number: PAR 18 617 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Career Transition Award for Intramural Fellows (K22 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 614 Funding Number: PA 18 614 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Novel and Emerging Technologies for Cryogenic or Long-term Preservation and Revival of Drosophila and Zebrafish Genetic Stocks (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 609 Funding Number: PA 18 609 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Disease Mechanisms of Prenatal and Pediatric Hydrocephalus (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 622 Funding Number: PA 18 622 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tools to Enhance the Study of Prenatal and Pediatric Hydrocephalus (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 623 Funding Number: PA 18 623 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research to Support the Reduction and Elimination of Mental Health Disparities (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 621 Funding Number: PA 18 621 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding Processes of Recovery in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 620 Funding Number: PA 18 620 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Understanding Processes of Recovery in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 619 Funding Number: PA 18 619 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dementia Care and Caregiver Support Interventions (R01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AG 18 030 Funding Number: RFA AG 18 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| NIBIB Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R44 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 631 Funding Number: PA 18 631 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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