Examining Diversity, Recruitment and Retention in Aging Research (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 749

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 749

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Examining Diversity, Recruitment and Retention in Aging Research (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number PAR 18-749 (CFDA 93.866). This opportunity is designed to support collaborative, team-based efforts that directly address persistent problems in how aging research studies recruit participants and keep them engaged over time, with a particular emphasis on improving diversity and representation in research participation. The grant mechanism is an R24 resource-related project, which generally means the focus is on building tools, infrastructure, and practical resources that will benefit the broader research community rather than running an intervention trial. As stated in the title, clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement.

At its core, the program aims to close gaps in both methods and outcomes related to recruitment and retention. The expectation is that funded teams will do more than simply restate common barriers; they should generate workable, evidence-informed improvements that can be adopted and scaled. The announcement emphasizes developing a "research resource" that advances high-yield recruitment processes, meaning approaches that reliably bring in participants efficiently and ethically. It also calls for breakthrough ideas and new concepts for recruitment and retention, suggesting that applicants are encouraged to move beyond routine advertising and enrollment tactics and instead test and refine creative, community-responsive strategies. Another central theme is strengthening outreach and community engagement, which typically involves building sustained relationships with community organizations, local leaders, and trusted institutions, and integrating community feedback into how studies are designed and presented. The opportunity also highlights improved communication strategies, which can include clearer messaging about study goals and expectations, culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, transparency about risks and benefits, and communication practices that foster trust and reduce dropout.

A defining deliverable for this initiative is demonstration. Teams are expected to show that their proposed improvements actually work by engaging a large, diverse population. The primary outcome is not a traditional clinical endpoint, but rather the creation or development of a population of diverse community members who are ready and prepared to participate in NIA-funded clinical research studies in the future. In practical terms, this means building a robust, engaged pipeline of potential participants, improving readiness and willingness to enroll, and establishing processes that make participation more accessible and sustainable. The intent is to leave behind a durable resource that other NIA investigators can leverage to improve enrollment diversity and retention in later studies.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes many public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city 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 or without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education, where applicable); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible organizations. The announcement explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories that align with the diversity and community engagement aims of the program, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is clearly restricted. While the text references "Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)" in a way that can look confusing at first glance, the announcement clarifies that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In short, the work and the applicant organization must be U.S.-based, and the project cannot include foreign components under NIH definitions.

Administrative details included in the source indicate the opportunity was created on 2018-04-10, with an original closing date listed as 2021-01-25. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided excerpt, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and related NIH budgeting guidance to understand typical award sizes, project periods, and review considerations. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward building and validating practical recruitment and retention resources that can measurably strengthen diversity and sustained participation in aging research, leaving the field with improved methods, stronger community ties, and a ready pool of diverse participants for future NIA-funded clinical studies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Examining Diversity, Recruitment and Retention in Aging Research (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2018-04-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-25. (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.

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