Research Networks to Promote Multidisciplinary Mechanistic Studies on Music-Based Interventions for Pain or Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AT 23 009

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AT 23 009

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity RFA-AT-23-009 supports the creation of research networks focused on understanding how music-based interventions (MBIs) work at a mechanistic level in two major health areas: pain and Alzheimers disease and Alzheimers disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Rather than primarily funding large clinical efficacy trials, this initiative is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation that future clinical studies will rely on. The core idea is to bring together multidisciplinary teams to build shared research frameworks, agree on consistent language and classification systems for MBIs, and generate early mechanistic evidence that can later support stronger, larger NIH grant applications.

A major expectation is that each network will serve as an organizing hub for the field. Networks are expected to develop clear, compelling mechanistic research frameworks that can guide future clinical research on MBIs in pain or AD/ADRD. This includes establishing consistent terminology and a taxonomy (in other words, shared definitions and categories for different types of music-based interventions and their key components). By doing this, the program aims to reduce the fragmentation that often happens when different research groups describe similar interventions in different ways, measure different outcomes, or use incompatible methods, making it hard to compare results across studies.

Another central feature is building and sustaining interdisciplinary collaboration. The networks are expected to actively connect investigators across relevant disciplines, which may include neuroscience, psychology, geriatrics, neurology, pain medicine, rehabilitation, music therapy, cognitive science, bioengineering, and related methodological fields. The FOA encourages applicants to propose activities that make collaboration real and productive, such as meetings, workshops, and conferences; structured research collaborations; and idea exchange through visiting scientist arrangements or training opportunities. These convening and capacity-building activities are not side projects; they are part of how the networks are meant to identify key gaps, align research priorities, and coordinate methods in a way that accelerates progress.

The opportunity also emphasizes pilot projects as a way to move from discussion to data. Networks are expected to initiate pilot studies that test novel mechanistic hypotheses about MBIs and help identify strong mechanistic measures, outcomes, and biomarkers. The intent is to figure out what should be measured (and how) to understand pathways of effect, whether those pathways involve neural circuits, stress physiology, inflammation, cognitive processes, emotional regulation, social connection, or other biological and behavioral mechanisms. The FOA also highlights identifying and incorporating relevant new technologies and methodologies, which can include emerging tools for measurement, analysis, or intervention delivery that could improve rigor, reproducibility, and mechanistic clarity.

Dissemination and outreach are required to ensure the networks have lasting impact beyond the funded period. The FOA expects networks to publish and share their products broadly, including research frameworks, common terminologies and taxonomies, review papers, and other best-practice resources. The goal is to create field-wide reference points that future investigators can use to design stronger studies, select comparable measures, and communicate findings consistently. In practical terms, success is not only judged by what the network learns internally, but also by what it standardizes and contributes back to the wider music-and-health research community.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a cooperative agreement (U24), which generally means NIH will have substantial programmatic involvement compared to a standard research grant. The funding instrument is marked "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trial components if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The opportunity falls under NIH health research funding categories and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.213 and 93.866. The listed award ceiling is $300,000. The FOA was created on 2022-12-16 and had an original closing date of 2023-01-17.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations, such as 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

There are important limits related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain international elements may be included under NIH rules even though the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the main structure of the work must align with the domestic eligibility constraints.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as an NIH effort to build the shared scientific infrastructure needed for the next generation of rigorous music-based intervention research in pain and AD/ADRD. It prioritizes coordinated mechanistic thinking, common standards, and pilot data generation so that future clinical studies can be more comparable, more biologically and behaviorally grounded, and more competitive for larger-scale NIH funding.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Networks to Promote Multidisciplinary Mechanistic Studies on Music-Based Interventions for Pain or Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-12-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-17. (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 $300,000.00 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.

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