Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 040

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 040

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)," Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-040. This announcement focuses on the fact that most people living with schizophrenia and related disorders are over age 35, including individuals who are diagnosed for the first time in midlife as well as those who have been managing the illness for many years and are now aging with it. Despite the size and clinical importance of this population, the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms that shape how these disorders emerge and change across mid- to late-life are still not well understood. The overall aim of the initiative is to push translational research forward so the field can better explain the origins and course (trajectory) of schizophrenia-spectrum conditions during these later stages of life, and to identify promising targets that could eventually support new prevention approaches and more effective treatments.

This is an R21 mechanism, which generally supports early-stage, exploratory, or high-impact pilot projects designed to generate feasibility data, test innovative hypotheses, or open up new lines of investigation rather than fund large, definitive programs of research. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that do not involve a clinical trial, or they may include a clinical trial if it is scientifically appropriate for the proposed aims. In practical terms, that flexibility can accommodate a wide range of translational work, such as studies connecting clinical phenotypes with biomarkers, examining factors that predict late-life outcomes, testing mechanisms of symptom persistence or relapse in older adults, or piloting intervention strategies that could later be scaled into larger trials. The emphasis is on improving mechanistic understanding in mid- to late-life and on generating insights that can be translated into future prevention and treatment development.

The funding activity category is Health, and the opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.242. The posting indicates an original closing date of 2026-09-07, and the opportunity was created on 2024-11-18. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided source data, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement and NIH policy pages for the most current budget limits, project period guidance, and any institute-specific expectations.

A wide array of applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those are listed separately); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that NIH intends to encourage, including 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 agencies of the federal government; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility reflects an interest in drawing on diverse research settings and communities, which can be particularly important for studying later-life schizophrenia across different populations, healthcare systems, and social contexts.

In summary, PAR-25-040 is an NIH R21 grant opportunity aimed at improving translational understanding of schizophrenia and related disorders specifically during mid- to late-life, when most affected individuals are actually living with the condition. The initiative is designed to support innovative, exploratory work that clarifies how the illness begins or evolves in these age ranges and that points toward actionable targets for future prevention and treatment efforts, with the option (but not the requirement) to include clinical trial components.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-07. (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 25 040

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