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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title and funding opportunity number for this NIH grant?

The opportunity is titled "Social disconnection and Suicide Risk in Late Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MH-22-135.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to support research projects that explain and reduce suicide risk among older adults by focusing on social disconnection. The emphasis is on understanding how social isolation and loneliness contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in later life and translating that understanding into practical, testable prevention strategies.

How does this opportunity define "social disconnection"?

Social disconnection is defined broadly to include both objective social isolation (such as limited social contact, small social networks, and low participation in social activities) and perceived social isolation, more commonly described as loneliness.

What kinds of outcomes or problems is the research expected to address?

The research is expected to deepen understanding of how social disconnection contributes to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults and to generate or test approaches that can help prevent or reduce suicide risk in late life.

What research topics are specifically prioritized?

A major priority is research that identifies mechanisms linking isolation and loneliness to suicide risk in late life. The opportunity calls for studies that investigate neurobiological pathways and environmental influences that increase vulnerability among socially disconnected older adults.

What does NIH mean by "mechanisms" in this announcement?

"Mechanisms" refers to the underlying processes that explain how and why social isolation and loneliness may lead to suicidal ideation or behavior. The announcement highlights neurobiological pathways as well as interactions among brain, behavioral, and physiological processes in real-world contexts.

What real-world contexts or environmental influences does the announcement mention?

Examples listed include bereavement, retirement, disability, chronic illness, caregiving strain, mobility limitations, reduced access to transportation, stigma, and lack of community resources. The opportunity encourages research that examines how these factors interact with social disconnection to affect suicide risk.

Is this grant focused only on documenting that social disconnection is associated with suicide risk?

No. The stated 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.

What is the "experimental therapeutics approach" referenced in the opportunity?

The experimental therapeutics approach encourages applicants to identify clear, measurable targets believed to drive suicide risk in socially disconnected older adults, and then develop and evaluate interventions that directly engage those targets, rather than testing broad or non-specific interventions.

Does this funding opportunity allow clinical trials?

Yes. It is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning clinical trials are allowed but not required. Projects may 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.

What kinds of projects could fit if a team is not proposing a clinical trial?

Based on the description provided, projects could include mechanistic studies that clarify pathways linking social disconnection to suicide risk, translational studies that connect those mechanisms to practical prevention targets, and other work needed to validate targets and inform interventions, without necessarily running a clinical trial.

What is meant by "service delivery innovation" in this initiative?

Service delivery innovation refers to developing new service models or adapting existing ones to strengthen social connection as a suicide prevention strategy for older adults. The opportunity recognizes that older adults interact with health and social systems in ways that can create prevention opportunities.

What types of service models or delivery strategies are encouraged?

The announcement encourages models that improve outreach, engagement, continuity of care, and community linkage, particularly for older adults who are homebound, live alone, or have limited access to mental health services. Emphasis is placed on scalable approaches that can be implemented in real-world settings.

Who is the primary population of interest?

The primary focus is on older adults (late life), particularly those experiencing social disconnection, including isolation and/or loneliness, in relation to suicide risk.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This is an NIH discretionary grant using the R01 mechanism, which typically supports substantial, multi-year research projects.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category listed is Health.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA numbers listed are 93.242 and 93.866.

When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of 2021-12-23 and an original closing date of 2022-10-15.

Is the award ceiling specified?

No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling.

Is the expected number of awards specified?

No. The provided source data does not specify the expected number of awards.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. 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.

Are minority-serving and community-based institutions explicitly included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The announcement 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); and faith-based or community-based organizations.

Can federal agencies apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants explicitly include eligible federal agencies.

Can U.S. territories or possessions apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible applicants.

Are regional organizations included in eligibility?

Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly listed among the additional eligible applicant categories.

Can tribal governments that are not federally recognized apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes tribal governments other than federally recognized.

Are non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) eligible?

Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly included as eligible applicants.

Why does the opportunity emphasize broad eligibility?

The description indicates that the 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.