Collaborative Network to Advance Deprescribing Research for Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 19 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 19 005

The NIH funding opportunity titled "Collaborative Network to Advance Deprescribing Research for Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions (R24 Clinical Trial Optional)" (RFA-AG-19-005) is designed to build a coordinated research network focused on deprescribing in older adults who live with multiple chronic conditions. Deprescribing is described as the supervised discontinuation of long-term medications, a core practice in geriatrics and palliative medicine that aims to reduce inappropriate medication use and the harms of polypharmacy. The central purpose of this opportunity is not simply to fund a single deprescribing study, but to create shared capacity that helps the field answer persistent research questions about when, how, and for whom deprescribing improves outcomes, especially in complex patients whose care goals often involve balancing longevity, function, symptoms, and quality of life.

A major emphasis of the FOA is closing key research gaps that limit progress in deprescribing science. Applicants are expected to confront the real-world scientific, safety, ethical, and logistical barriers that make deprescribing trials difficult. That includes challenges like defining appropriate outcomes when patients have multimorbidity, managing clinical risk during medication tapering or discontinuation, addressing patient and clinician concerns about stopping long-used therapies, ensuring appropriate monitoring and rescue strategies, and developing trial designs that are feasible in routine care settings. The network may also, if well justified, include targeted work on related topics such as clarifying risks and benefits of specific medication classes that are common candidates for deprescribing, or evaluating alternative strategies that could substitute for deprescribed drugs (for example, nonpharmacologic approaches or safer medication options).

The mechanism is an R24 resource-related research project grant, with clinical trials optional, meaning the award can support infrastructure and coordination activities and may also support trials if proposed and appropriate. The FOA is intended to support the establishment and early operations of the collaborative network over a 5-year project period. In practical terms, the expectation is that the award will help create the collaborations, shared resources, and operational infrastructure needed to enable a pipeline of high-quality deprescribing studies rather than isolated efforts. While the notice does not enumerate every network component in the excerpt, the stated goals strongly imply deliverables such as common methods, trial and safety guidance, ethical frameworks, shared tools and measures, and cross-site operational capacity that can be used by investigators studying deprescribing across different clinical environments.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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 (including those other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that category); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other organizations as permitted. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions and non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain well-justified foreign collaborations or elements under NIH rules.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant in the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.866). The original closing date listed is October 18, 2018, with a stated award ceiling of $1,000,000, and it was created May 14, 2018. The overall intent is to accelerate and professionalize the science of deprescribing for older adults with multimorbidity by funding a structured, collaborative network that can develop the methods and infrastructure needed to run safe, ethical, and informative deprescribing research and ultimately improve medication-related decision-making and outcomes in this high-risk population.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Collaborative Network to Advance Deprescribing Research for Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions (R24 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 2018-05-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-10-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• 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 RFA AG 19 005

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