Social disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 22 135

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 22 135

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Social disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-22-135) supports research projects that explain and reduce suicide risk among older adults by focusing on social disconnection. In this announcement, social disconnection is defined broadly to include both objective social isolation (for example, limited social contact, small networks, low participation in social activities) and perceived social isolation, more commonly described as loneliness. The core purpose is to deepen understanding of how these social factors contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in later life and to translate that understanding into practical, testable prevention strategies.

A major priority is research that pinpoints the mechanisms linking isolation and loneliness to suicide risk in late life. The opportunity explicitly calls for studies that investigate neurobiological pathways and environmental influences that may make socially disconnected older adults more vulnerable to suicidal ideation and behavior. This can include work that clarifies how brain, behavioral, and physiological processes interact with real-world contexts such as bereavement, retirement, disability, chronic illness, caregiving strain, mobility limitations, reduced access to transportation, stigma, or lack of community resources. The aim is not only to document that social disconnection matters, but to identify the "how" and "why" at levels that can guide prevention and intervention design.

Another key emphasis is the use of an experimental therapeutics approach. In practice, that means applicants are encouraged to move beyond broad, non-specific intervention testing and instead identify clear, measurable targets that are believed to drive suicide risk in socially disconnected older adults, then develop and evaluate interventions that directly engage those targets. The announcement also allows clinical trials but does not require them ("Clinical Trial Optional"), so projects can range from mechanistic and translational studies to intervention development and testing, depending on what is needed to validate targets and demonstrate impact on suicide-related outcomes.

The initiative also highlights service delivery innovation, recognizing that older adults often interact with health and social systems in ways that create opportunities for prevention. Applicants are encouraged to develop new service models or adapt existing ones to strengthen social connection as a suicide prevention strategy in late life. This can include designing scalable approaches that improve outreach, engagement, continuity of care, and community linkage, especially for older adults who are homebound, live alone, or have limited access to mental health services. The overall direction is toward interventions and delivery strategies that can realistically be implemented in real-world settings and that meaningfully reduce suicide risk by addressing social disconnection.

This is an NIH discretionary grant using the R01 mechanism, which typically supports substantial, multi-year research projects. The funding activity category is Health, and the CFDA numbers listed are 93.242 and 93.866. The original closing date was 2022-10-15, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of 2021-12-23. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and 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 tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The announcement also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as 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; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; tribal governments other than federally recognized; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects an interest in encouraging diverse research teams and community-connected institutions to contribute to understanding and preventing late-life suicide linked to social disconnection.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Social disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life (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): 93.242, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-12-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-15. (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.

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