Controlled Clinical Trials on Long-Term Effects of Nutritional Interventions on the Progression of Risk Factors for Age-Related Chronic Conditions Over the Life Span and Their Age of Onset
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions conducting rigorous randomized controlled clinical trials on nutritional interventions and aging. Eligible applicants include universities, research hospitals, and medical research centers with capacity to conduct long-term studies. Trials must examine effects of nutritional factors on age-related chronic disease risk factors across the lifespan. Projects typically require 5-7 years of intervention and follow-up duration.
The grant supports preventive nutrition research in younger and/or older populations. Studies must employ rigorous clinical trial methodology with sufficient power to detect long-term effects. International institutions may be eligible if they meet NIH requirements for foreign grantee organizations.
Key dates
- Jan 29, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 25, 2026 Application deadline in 116 days
- Jul 25, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 25, 2027 Project start
This grant is for research institutions conducting rigorous randomized controlled clinical trials on nutritional interventions and aging. Eligible applicants include universities, research hospitals, and medical research centers with capacity to conduct long-term studies. Trials must examine effects of nutritional factors on age-related chronic disease risk factors across the lifespan. Projects typically require 5-7 years of intervention and follow-up duration.
The grant supports preventive nutrition research in younger and/or older populations. Studies must employ rigorous clinical trial methodology with sufficient power to detect long-term effects. International institutions may be eligible if they meet NIH requirements for foreign grantee organizations.
Program description
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for randomized controlled clinical trials on long-term effects of nutritional interventions on the progression of risk factors for age-related chronic conditions over the life span and their age of onset.
Although considerable information is available on health benefits and risks of a variety of nutritional factors (e.g., macronutrients, overall caloric intake, differing nutrient sources) there remains a need for better understanding of long-term benefits and potential risks of differing nutritional factors and dietary practices to maintain health across the full range of the life span. Rigorous understanding of these effects requires long-term controlled clinical trials of preventive interventions in younger and/or older persons. Given the rates of risk factor progression in younger persons and of accumulation of morbidities in later life, many such trials will require long-term intervention durations and follow-up of at least 5 years to provide sufficient power and evidence of their long-term effects. In order to support projects of sufficient duration to provide for start-up, enrollment, follow-up, and outcome data analyses in such trials, applications in response to this NOFO may propose projects of up to seven years in length.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO intends to utilize the U19 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Health Center
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for research institutions conducting rigorous randomized controlled clinical trials on nutritional interventions and aging. Eligible applicants include universities, research hospitals, and medical research centers with capacity to conduct long-term studies. Trials must examine effects of nutritional factors on age-related chronic disease risk factors across the lifespan. Projects typically require 5-7 years of intervention and follow-up duration.
The grant supports preventive nutrition research in younger and/or older populations. Studies must employ rigorous clinical trial methodology with sufficient power to detect long-term effects. International institutions may be eligible if they meet NIH requirements for foreign grantee organizations.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Federal Grant Application Form
- Project Narrative/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (for collaborative sites)
- Data Management and Statistical Analysis Plan
- Human Subjects Protection Documentation (IRB approval plan)
Program contact
- 👤 NIA Scientific Contact
- 📧 NIA-NOFO-Scientific@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$463,372,200
-
$172,327,224
-
$115,145,694
-
$99,649,073
-
$93,275,174
-
$78,657,309
-
$75,825,492
-
$75,398,895
-
$70,985,470
-
$64,812,576
Top States by Funding
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- CA 8 awards $511.1M
- MO 8 awards $437.0M
- IN 4 awards $303.9M
- PA 6 awards $298.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
When is the deadline for this NOFO?
The deadline is September 25, 2026. Applications are not currently being solicited; this notice allows time to develop collaborations and projects.
What study design does NIA want?
Randomized controlled clinical trials with rigorous methodology. Projects must include long-term intervention (typically 5+ years) and follow-up to detect effects on age-related risk factors.
Can I submit a pilot or shorter study?
This NOFO prioritizes long-term trials. While projects can be up to seven years, shorter timelines may not provide sufficient evidence of effects that NIA seeks.
What research topics are eligible?
Studies on nutritional interventions (macronutrients, caloric intake, nutrient sources) affecting risk factors for chronic diseases in younger and/or older populations across the lifespan.
What funding mechanism will be used?
This NOFO intends to use the U19 activity code (cooperative agreement), which typically includes substantial federal investment and collaborative requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building your research team and collaborations now while the NOFO is in development stage. Long-term trials require strong institutional support and multi-site coordination.
- Design your trial to address a clear gap in nutritional science. Focus on long-term effects over 5+ years rather than short-term outcomes.
- Include a robust data management plan and biostatistical analysis strategy. NIH expects detailed power calculations for detecting long-term effects.
- Ensure your institution has infrastructure to support extended follow-up and retention. Budget adequately for study personnel, participant retention incentives, and compliance monitoring.
- Review recent NIA funding patterns and successful U19 applications. U19s are large collaborative awards with higher administrative requirements than standard grants.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing observational studies instead of randomized controlled trials. Designing studies that are too short to detect meaningful long-term effects on risk factors. Underestimating budget and personnel needs for multi-year participant enrollment and follow-up.
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