Interaction Between Environmental Factors and Lewy Body Dementia (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 249

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 249

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering an R01 research grant opportunity titled "Interaction Between Environmental Factors and Lewy Body Dementia (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-24-249). This is a discretionary grant solicitation in the health area (CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers 93.853 and 93.866) aimed at advancing research on Lewy body dementia (LBD) and related Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs). The central purpose is to support projects that can move beyond correlation and firmly establish causal links between environmental exposures and the formation of Lewy bodies, the pathological aggregates most commonly associated with alpha-synuclein pathology.

The scientific emphasis is on exogenous or environmental factors that can influence the human body and potentially contribute to Lewy body formation. The notice highlights examples such as environmental toxicants, metals, and air pollution, but the intent is broader: applicants are expected to investigate a range of relevant environmental exposures and mechanisms with the rigor needed to support causality. The overall aim is not only to clarify what environmental factors contribute to disease biology, but to identify novel and potentially modifiable targets for preventing, slowing, or otherwise reducing LBD risk or progression. In practical terms, NIH is signaling interest in research that can pinpoint exposures that may be reduced, regulated, or mitigated, and that can map clear biological pathways linking exposure to neuropathology.

A key feature of this opportunity is its expectation of multidisciplinary collaboration. Competitive applications will likely integrate neuroscientists with strong expertise spanning basic, translational, and clinical ADRD research together with scientists who specialize in environmental and exposure-related disciplines (for example, environmental health, toxicology, exposure science, epidemiology of pollutants, or related fields). The intention is to encourage teams that can connect real-world exposures to mechanistic brain outcomes, using study designs and experimental approaches capable of supporting causal inference. Although the research can incorporate clinical relevance and human biology, the announcement explicitly specifies "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the proposed work should not include NIH-defined clinical trials (for instance, prospective assignment to an intervention to evaluate health outcomes). Applicants should plan accordingly by focusing on non-trial human studies, preclinical models, mechanistic studies, observational designs, or other approaches that remain outside the NIH clinical trial definition while still addressing causality.

From an applicant eligibility standpoint, NIH lists a wide range of eligible organizations. 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other unspecified eligible entities. The opportunity also calls out additional eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly restricts foreign participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S.-based applicant organization may include certain elements of the project that take place outside the U.S. when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

Key administrative details included in the notice are the original closing date of October 4, 2024, and an award ceiling of $500,000 (as listed in the source data). The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided information. The opportunity was created on June 25, 2024. Overall, PAR-24-249 is positioned to fund rigorous, mechanistically grounded research that clarifies how environmental exposures may drive Lewy body pathology, with a strong translational pull toward identifying actionable, modifiable risk factors or biological targets relevant to Lewy body dementia.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Interaction Between Environmental Factors and Lewy Body Dementia (R01 - 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): 93.853, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-04. (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 $500,000.00 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 PAR 24 249

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