Mechanisms Underlying Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research institutions investigating the biological and neurological mechanisms underlying olfactory (smell) dysfunction in aging, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias. Eligible applicants typically include academic medical centers, universities, research institutes, nonprofit research organizations, and eligible for-profit organizations. Applicants must have appropriate institutional affiliation and infrastructure to conduct neuroscience research. The grant supports fundamental and translational research that advances understanding of sensory changes in neurodegenerative diseases, with geographic scope covering U.S.-based institutions. Activities supported include laboratory research, data analysis, and studies examining molecular, cellular, and systems-level mechanisms of olfactory loss in these populations.
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Key dates
- Nov 20, 2025 Applications open
- Oct 6, 2026 Application deadline in 81 days
- Jul 6, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 6, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications that investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between olfactory decline and aging or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD). Understanding these mechanisms may help inform the potential use of olfactory dysfunction with age as an indicator of various health outcomes in older adults (e.g. physical function) and as a predictor of AD/ADRD risk. Identifying circuit-level olfactory changes may also uncover novel targets for developing disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. Studies may include older adults and/or animal models and may employ a variety of approaches, including cellular, molecular, imaging, physiological, omics and new approach methodologies (NAMs) to address the research gaps.
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 R01 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
- 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
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Form SF-424 (R&R) and associated application forms
- Project Narrative (research strategy) describing aims, background, significance, innovation, and approach
- Specific Aims page (one page, focused summary of research goals)
- Budget justification and detailed budget for requested period
- Biosketches (NIH format) for key personnel (typically PD/PI and senior key personnel)
- Institutional commitments and resource availability documentation
- Letters of support from collaborators (if applicable)
- Previous research support summary and ongoing funding documentation
- Human subjects or animal care approvals (if applicable)
- Conflict of interest disclosures
Program contact
- 👤 Coryse St. Hillaire-Clarke, Ph.D.
- 📧 sthillaireclacn@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 301-496-9350
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
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$463,372,200
-
$172,327,224
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$115,145,694
-
$99,649,073
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$93,275,174
-
$82,572,681
-
$81,344,612
-
$78,657,309
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$75,825,492
-
$75,398,895
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $633.7M
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- MO 8 awards $453.5M
- 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
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Researchers affiliated with universities, medical schools, research institutes, nonprofits, and eligible for-profit organizations can apply. Individual researchers typically need institutional sponsorship. International organizations may be eligible depending on NIH policy at time of application.
What is the deadline for applications?
The application open date is November 20, 2025. Check the NIH CFDA 93.866 program page for specific submission deadlines, which typically follow standard NIH deadlines (often in February, June, and October).
What types of research activities are supported?
This mechanism supports research on mechanisms of olfactory dysfunction in aging and dementia, including molecular pathways, cellular changes, neural circuits, biomarkers, and translational studies that may lead to diagnostic or therapeutic advances.
How competitive is this funding?
NIH basic research grants are typically highly competitive, with success rates often 20-30%. Applicants should have preliminary data, clear research questions, and feasible approaches. Strong institutional research support enhances competitiveness.
What funding range can I expect?
Typical NIH R01 grants (if this is that mechanism) range from $150,000 to $500,000+ per year depending on the research scope. Check the program announcement for specific funding mechanisms and budget guidelines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish clear preliminary data showing your lab's capability in olfactory or neurodegenerative disease research before applying. Reviewers prioritize feasibility grounded in existing results.
- Frame your research within the broader context of Alzheimer's disease impact and public health significance. Explain how understanding olfactory changes may inform diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment opportunities.
- Include specific, measurable aims with realistic timelines and appropriate methodology. Vague or overly ambitious proposals weaken competitiveness; focus on testable hypotheses.
- Ensure your institution's research infrastructure, core facilities, and administrative support are clearly documented. NIH values institutional commitment and capacity for managing federal grants.
- Engage with your program officer at NIH before submission. They can clarify expectations, review your approach, and advise on alignment with current agency priorities in neuroscience and dementia research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to insufficient or weak preliminary data suggesting the applicant has not yet demonstrated proof-of-concept in their proposed research direction. Another frequent weakness is lack of clear mechanistic focus—proposals that are too broad or descriptive rather than hypothesis-driven struggle in NIH review. Finally, poor alignment with current NIH strategic priorities in Alzheimer's disease research, or failure to explain why olfactory mechanisms matter for the disease, results in low priority scores.
Similar grants
- CLOSED Interdisciplinary Research to Understand the Complex Biology of Resilience to Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Disease Risk — National Institutes of Health
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