Well Told Grants

Grants / Department of Health and Human Services / National Institutes of Health

Mechanisms Underlying Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias

Forecast Expected deadline October 6, 2026 Opportunity RFA-AG-26-021

National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around August 6, 2026, with applications due around October 6, 2026.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed November 20, 2025. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

Forecast postedNovember 20, 2025
Expected postingAugust 6, 2026
Expected deadlineOctober 6, 2026
Expected award dateJuly 6, 2027

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Who can apply

This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations.

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Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications that investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between olfactory decline and aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD). Understanding these mechanisms may help inform the potential use of olfactory dysfunction with age as an indicator of various health outcomes in older adults (e.g. physical function) and as a predictor of AD/ADRD risk. Identifying circuit-level olfactory changes may also uncover novel targets for developing disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. Studies may include older adults and/or animal models and may employ a variety of approaches, including cellular, molecular, imaging, physiological, omics and new approach methodologies (NAMs) to address the research gaps. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO intends to utilize the R01 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

Category: Health.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
  2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
  3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to Coryse St. Hillaire-Clarke, Ph.D., sthillaireclacn@mail.nih.gov, 301-496-9350.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for Mechanisms Underlying Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias?

National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for Mechanisms Underlying Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias?

Expected deadline October 6, 2026. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

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