Understanding the Role of Bilingualism in Cognitive Reserve/Resilience in Aging and AD/ADRD (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 23 001

This NIH grant opportunity (RFA-AG-23-001) is an R01 research funding announcement focused on understanding how bilingualism may contribute to cognitive reserve and cognitive resilience during healthy aging and in the context of Alzheimer`s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). The central idea behind the announcement is that speaking more than one language might shape brain function in ways that help some people maintain thinking skills longer, delay noticeable symptoms, or cope better with underlying brain changes linked to aging and dementia. The FOA is aimed at moving the field beyond mixed or inconsistent findings by encouraging stronger, prospective, hypothesis-driven studies that can build a clearer theoretical framework for how second-language acquisition and bilingual experience affect the brain across the lifespan.

A major emphasis of the announcement is on carefully designed research that can identify the extent and the mechanisms of bilingualism`s impact on human brain function. In practice, this means proposals are expected to go beyond simple comparisons of bilingual versus monolingual groups and instead address key questions like which aspects of bilingual experience matter most (for example, age of acquisition, proficiency, frequency of use, language switching demands, literacy in both languages, or social context), which cognitive domains are affected (such as executive function, attention, memory, processing speed, or language control), and how these effects relate to established concepts of reserve and resilience. The FOA is also framed around the need to understand why some individuals appear to function well despite having brain pathology, and whether bilingualism contributes to that phenomenon in measurable, biologically plausible ways.

The announcement strongly encourages multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches, reflecting the view that bilingualism and cognitive aging are shaped by a complex mix of neural, environmental, and sociocultural factors. Competitive projects would likely integrate multiple types of data and expertise, such as neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging, and other biomarkers, along with detailed characterization of language history and use, educational and occupational experiences, and broader social determinants of health. The goal is not only to document correlations, but to clarify interactions and pathways, for example how bilingual experience may influence neural efficiency, functional connectivity, compensatory recruitment, or brain maintenance, and how those brain-level patterns relate to cognitive outcomes over time in aging and AD/ADRD.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH grant using the R01 mechanism, listed under the health activity category with CFDA number 93.866. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The opportunity was created on 2021-10-26, with an original closing date of 2022-03-03. The source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants would typically rely on the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for the most accurate funding expectations.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicant organizations. Standard 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized ones, and U.S. territories or possessions. Taken together, this reflects a clear interest in supporting research that can include diverse populations and contexts, which is especially important for bilingualism research where language experience, migration history, education, and cultural factors can vary widely and strongly influence both exposure and outcomes.

In plain terms, NIH is looking for rigorous studies that can tell a more definitive story about whether, how, and for whom bilingualism helps protect thinking and memory in later life, and how that potential protection relates to Alzheimer`s and related dementias. Proposals that combine strong theory, careful measurement of bilingual experience, longitudinal or prospective designs when feasible, and multiple complementary methods are particularly well aligned with the intent of the announcement.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding the Role of Bilingualism in Cognitive Reserve/Resilience in Aging and AD/ADRD (R01 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 2021-10-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-03-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 23 001

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