Multi-Scale Models Bridging Levels of Analysis in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering a funding opportunity titled 'Multi-Scale Models Bridging Levels of Analysis in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed).' The purpose of this funding opportunity is to invite applications proposing to establish multi-scale computational models recapitulating dynamic changes associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). This broad scope encompasses a variety of computational approaches—such as mathematical and computational modeling, image analysis, artificial intelligence, and machine learning—to better understand aging processes and AD/ADRD across molecules, cells and networks, and cognition and behavior.

Grant Details
Recent advances in artificial intelligence and the availability of 'big data' have inspired an explosion of computational research driving many fields at the intersection of biology and medicine. Computational neuroscience now integrates data across spatial and temporal scales to identify potential latent variables and make predictions for new experiments through this multi-scale perspective. The goal of this NOFO is to establish a computational multi-scale model recapitulating dynamic changes associated with aging across scales. The proposed framework must bridge at least two levels of analysis on the spatial scale (e.g., molecules, cells, tissues, organisms, behavior), or bridge at least two levels of analysis on the temporal scale (spanning from milliseconds to generations). Along with the framework, the application must address a targeted research question through a targeted model to provide new insights into the function or dynamics of biology, disease, or a behavioral system. It must include at least one aim centered on hypothesis testing and at least one aim on model validation. The application should challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, public/state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education), small businesses, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), local governments, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), federal governments, eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territory or possession, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations. Foreign organizations are also eligible to apply.

Grant Value
NIA intends to commit $4,000,000 in FY 2025 to fund 5-7 awards. Application budgets are limited to $500,000 in direct costs per year. The maximum project period is five years.