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Recent studies show nearly half of older adults will experience social isolation, which is linked to a broad range of negative physical and psychological outcomes that can be life threatening. Due to geographic isolation, limited access to reliable transportation, and reduced family/social networks as young people move to urban areas for employment, the problem disproportionally impacts older adults in rural areas. By providing older adults with stimulating, meaningful, and enjoyable activities, technology can enhance their sense of connection to family, friends and community, add to their overall quality of life, and help them live independently in their communities of choice. However, technology on its own cannot eliminate social isolation completely and must be combined with increased community engagement, human connectivity, and opportunities for rural residents of all ages to work together to promote healthy aging.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage interdisciplinary research aimed at promoting health, preventing and limiting symptoms and disease, and reducing health disparities across the lifespan for those living or spending time in non-traditional settings (i.e. playgrounds and nursing homes). These settings result in exposure to environmental pollutants and toxins that result in health risks, symptoms, and other health conditions/diseases; including lower respiratory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and complex environmental exposures that may be exacerbated by non-chemical stressors encountered in community settings, physiological function of organs and systems of the fetus/child/adolescence, and lower respiratory disease. Risk identification and symptom management include prevention and behavior changes and actions to maintain health and prevent disease with an emphasis on the individual, family, and community which will advance nursing science. For purposes of this FOA, non-traditional settings include, but are not limited to, places such as community centers; pre-school and non-traditional school environments (e.g., churches, daycare, home-based schools, dormitories, alternative schools, and playgrounds); child and older adult foster care facilities; older adult day care facilities; half-way homes; and assisted living and long-term care facilities.

A Community Thrives is a new approach to social impact programs that was developed through a collaboration across the entire USA TODAY NETWORK. While most initiatives designate funds or give support to great charities, we're going to instead fund and support great ideas. The volunteering begins with you pitching your creative solutions to solving our communities' most critical needs.

The purpose of NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP), which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving technology solutions to improve assistive technology to promote independence and community living outcomes of people with disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make three DRRP awards under this grant competition. For this grant competition we are inviting both research applications and development applications. Please note that this forecast is for a Funding Opportunity Announcement for DRRP development projects toward technology solutions to promote independence and community living outcomes of people with disabilities - with a particular emphasis on seniors with disabilities.

The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities. Field-Initiated RERC on Technology to Enhance Independence and Community Living for People with Cognitive Impairments: In this area, NIDILRR seeks to fund research and development toward technologies that contribute to improved abilities of adults with cognitive impairment to perform daily activities of their choice in the home, community, or workplace.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages applications focused on the use the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database, clinical data and images. This FOA seeks to expand the use of these resources by investigators in the broader research community. Examples of possible topics are: identification and validation of risk factors for knee and hip OA, including both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors; utilization of biospecimens in conjunction with research efforts to determine biochemical markers of early and/or progressive disease; analyses of existing OAI data to assess the effectiveness of biobehavioral, pharmacological, and other interventions that subjects use in response to OA pain; determination of predictive role of MRI changes for subsequent radiographic and clinical outcome changes related to development of knee OA; development of novel and efficient tools for analysis of MR images and x rays that can be applied to large numbers of images with high degrees of reproducibility for diagnosis and monitoring of OA-related changes; and research focused on the trajectory of disease including effects on other joint structures such as muscles, ligaments, and bone, with regard to points where interventions could be made, especially for subsets, to reduce OA severity. The publication of this FOA to the research community indicates to investigators and peer reviewers the importance that the NIAMS and other partners have placed on the use of the OAI resources.

This FY 2014 grant announcement focuses on national programs strategically targeted to address community and law enforcement needs. Specifically, this grant announcement focuses on developing community partnerships to assist law enforcement in locating and working with missing persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This initiative is funded under the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Assistance Program.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate clinical research focused on biobehavioral or technological interventions to attenuate cognitive decline in individuals with dementia (such as Alzheimers disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or disease- or age-related cognitive decline. There is particular interest in interventions that can be implemented in community settings by the affected individual, informal caregivers, or others in the community. Research to inform the development of such interventions is also of interest, as well as research examining underlying mechanisms and biomarkers associated with response to interventions. It is anticipated that the results of this research will help affected individuals maintain independence and quality of life, improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and additionally help to reduce stress, burden, and other poor outcomes in their caregivers.

The mission of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. Through outreach, counseling, and education, the SMP program increases awareness and understanding of health care programs to protect Medicare beneficiaries from the economic and health-related consequences associated with Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. ACL currently provides grant funding to support 53 SMP projects, including grantees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The SMP projects use this funding to provide local outreach, education, and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries through a trained volunteer workforce. SMP projects teach Medicare beneficiaries to protect their Medicare numbers, to detect billing discrepancies on their quarterly Medicare Summary Notice statements, and to report suspicious activity for further investigation. In addition, SMP projects actively disseminate fraud prevention and identification information through the media, outreach campaigns, and community events.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications focused on interpersonal processes in the context of triadic interactions in clinical contexts involving caregivers, individuals with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), and health care practitioners and the impact of those processes on patient outcomes. The goal of this initiative is to support research that can lead to the development of interventions for optimizing communication among patients, caregivers, and healthcare practitioners and for preserving strong and supportive caregiving relationships throughout disease progression along the continuum of care for people with AD/ADRD. To these ends, basic research and translational research is solicited in two high-priority areas: (1) effective communications and relationships among patients, healthcare practitioners, and caregivers; and (2) associations between close relationship processes and health in caregiving relationships.

Older adults overwhelmingly prefer to stay in their homes and communities as they age. But millions of older individuals live in homes that lack accessibility features that support the ability to live safely and independently. In fact, the Census Bureau reveals that 1 in 3 older adult has trouble using some feature of their home. Another major concern in the risk of falling among older adults. Most serious falls occur in and around the home, and can be life-changing. Home modifications and repairs can help older adults age in place and maintain their independence. In many cases home modifications can also help prevent falls and other accidents in the home. The Administration on Aging, an agency within the Administration for Community Living, intends to award one cooperative agreement designed to address barriers to optimal access to and use of home modifications that support aging in place. The project will be expected to provide technical assistance and serve as a repository for home modification best practices and innovations that can be replicated at the local level.

FY18 PRARP QUAL Overarching Challenges: This FY18 PRARP QUAL funding opportunity requires applications to address one or more of the following FY18 PRARP QUAL Overarching Challenges: Paucity of Clinical Studies: The paucity of clinical studies to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. This includes research into risk factors that may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. Quality of Life: The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices to benefit individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD. Caregiver Support: The need for technologies, assessments, interventions, or devices with the goal of enhancing the lives of caregivers for individuals living with the common symptoms or deficits of TBI and AD/ADRD. Epidemiology: The paucity of epidemiological research to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. This includes research into risk factors that may predispose individuals to AD/ADRD subsequent to TBI. FY18 PRARP QUAL Focus Areas: In addition to addressing one or more of the specified FY18 PRARP QUAL Overarching Challenges, applications should address at least one of the following FY18 PRARP QUAL Focus Areas in support of the FY18 PRARP QUAL Overarching Challenges. An application that proposes research outside of the FY18 PRARP QUAL Focus Areas is acceptable, as long as the applicant provides a strong rationale.

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for basic or applied research and development projects. An NIJ forensic science research and development grant supports a discrete, specified, circumscribed project that will: (1) increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice, or (2) lead to the production of useful material(s), device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have the potential for forensic application. The intent of this program is to direct the findings of basic scientific research; research and development in broader scientific fields applicable to forensic science; and ongoing forensic science research toward the development of highly-discriminating, accurate, reliable, cost-effective, and rapid methods for the identification, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence for criminal justice purposes. Projects should address the challenges and needs of the forensic science community. The operational needs discussed at NIJ's FY 2016 Forensic Science TWG meeting may be found on NIJ.gov. Additional research needs of the forensic science community can be found at the Organization of Scientific Area Committees website. While the goals and deliverables of proposed projects do not necessarily need to result in immediate solutions to the posted challenges or needs, they should speak to them and produce knowledge that adds to work towards eventual resolutions.

This competitive funding opportunity will be for one cooperative agreement to fund the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment (NCBOE) which will provide technical assistance to States, AAAs, and other community service providers to provide outreach and benefits enrollment assistance, particularly to older individuals with greatest economic need, for Federal and state programs. The NCBOE was establish in 2006 when Congress amended the Older Americans Act with language directing AoA (now part of ACL) to work with an experienced entity to: (i) maintain and update web-based decision support and enrollment tools and integrated, person-centered systems designed to inform older individuals about the full range of benefits for which the individuals are eligible; (ii) utilize cost-effective strategies to find older individuals with greatest economic need and enroll the individual in the programs for with they are qualified; (iii) create and support efforts for Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), and other public and private state and community -based organizations, including faith-based organizations and coalitions, to serve as benefit enrollment centers for the programs; (iv) develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on best practices and cost-effective methods for finding and enrolling older individuals with greatest economic need; and (v) provide training and technical assistance on effective outreach, screening, enrollment and follow-up strategies. In addition, the NCBOE grantee is expected to coordinate efforts to inform older Americans and beneficiaries with disabilities about the benefits available under Federal and state programs, with an emphasis on providing information on the Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Program benefits, and to serve as a technical assistance resource center for the MIPPA state grantees involving SHIPs, AAAs, ADRCs, and Benefits Enrollment Centers.

The objective of this funding opportunity announcement is to build upon work previously done in this area by promoting continued and expanded engagement in national peer-to-peer networks, furthering the design and implementation of small grants demonstration programs at the community level, strengthening and refining evaluation and continuous improvement processes, and expanding dissemination activities. The goal of this 5 year project is to build upon proven models and approaches that can be used by states and communities across the country to involve people with disabilities and older adults in the design and implementation of coordinated transportation systems in ways that successfully make those systems responsive to the needs of these populations. The successful applicant will be expected to build upon the advancements made in this area over the previous 5 years by continuing to establish and expand the partnerships necessary to ensure full inclusion of person with disabilities and older adults in transportation policy and program development, further growing and developing peer-to-peer support networks for the purposes of knowledge sharing and capacity building, further stimulating inclusive transportation planning and service provision through the administration of a small grants demonstration program, and developing in collaboration with ACL a detailed evaluation program. Collect and synthesize information relevant to new and emerging practices experienced in the field.

The intent of the FY17 PRARP CSRA is to support efforts to generate research resources, tools, or novel research efforts for researchers and/or practitioners in health sciences related to the PRARP's mission. The FY17 PRARP CSRA is open to Principal Investigators (PIs) at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) from any field or discipline. As part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged. Preliminary data may come from the PI's published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature.The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 PRARP CSRA will not exceed $500,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. The research impact is expected to benefit the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. To this end, the PRARP has identified CSRA Overarching Challenges and Focus Areas by which the intent of this mechanism can be facilitated. These should be carefully considered as part of the application process.FY17 PRARP CSRA Overarching Challenges: This FY17 PRARP CSRA funding opportunity requires applications to address one or more of the following FY17 PRARP CSRA Overarching Challenges:* Paucity of Research Resources: The paucity of research resources to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities.

The intent of the FY17 PRARP NIRA is to support early-career investigators interested in novel research efforts or new technologies within TBI and AD/ADRD in support of the PRARP's mission. The FY17 PRARP NIRA is open to Principal Investigators (PIs) within 3 years of their first independent faculty position, from any field or discipline. As part of the application, the PI should demonstrate that the study team has experience in both TBI and AD/ADRD research. Preliminary data, while not required, are encouraged. Preliminary data may come from the PI's published work, pilot data, or from peer-reviewed literature. Note that PIs will be required to verify their eligibility for this award. The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY17 PRARP NIRA will not exceed $225,000. The maximum period of performance is 3 years. The research impact is expected to benefit the military, Veteran, and civilian communities. To this end, the PRARP has identified NIRA Overarching Challenges and Focus Areas by which the intent of this mechanism can be facilitated. These should be carefully considered as part of the application process.FY17 PRARP NIRA Overarching Challenges: This FY17 PRARP NIRA funding opportunity requires applications to address one or more of the following FY17 PRARP NIRA Overarching Challenges: The paucity of research resources to examine the interrelationship between TBI and subsequent AD/ADRD for the military, Veteran, and civilian communities.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for basic and translational research on caregiving for individuals with Alzheimers disease (AD), at the individual, family, community, and population level. The scope of this funding opportunity includes support for applications that propose the following: interventions to reduce caregiver burden and improve patient outcomes across various settings; population- and community-based research on the scope and impact of AD caregiving; improved characterization of informal and formal caregiving and the burden of caregiving across the full spectrum of the disease, including differences amongsocioeconomic, racial/ethnic and geographic sub-populations; and research addressing the unique challenges related to the provision of advanced AD care, including disparities in access to care.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for basic and translational research on caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), at the individual, family, community, and population level. The scope of this funding opportunity includes support for applications that propose the following: interventions to reduce caregiver burden and improve patient outcomes across various settings; population- and community-based research on the scope and impact of AD caregiving; improved characterization of informal and formal caregiving and the burden of caregiving across the full spectrum of the disease, including differences among socioeconomic, racial/ethnic and geographic sub-populations; and research addressing the unique challenges related to the provision of advanced AD care, including disparities in access to care.

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is seeking applications from qualified organizations for Injury Control Research Center (ICRC) grants. These centers will conduct high quality research and help translate scientific discoveries into practice for the prevention and control of fatal and nonfatal injuries and violence that support NCIPC’s priorities and mission. ICRCs are expected to blend Outreach, Training and Education, and Research activities into a program to reduce the number, risk, and public health impact of injury and violence in the U.S. The over-arching goals for the NCIPC ICRC program are to: Build the scientific base for the prevention and control of fatal and nonfatal injuries and violence. Integrate, in the context of a national program, professionals from a wide spectrum of disciplines of epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, medicine, biostatistics, public health, health economics, law, criminal justice, and engineering to perform research and provided technical expertise in order to prevent and control injuries and/or violence more effectively. Encourage investigators to propose research that involves intervention development or translation of effective programs among individuals, organizations, or communities. Provide technical assistance to injury and/or violence prevention and control programs in their geographic region, including other researchers; universities; medical institutions; community groups; state and local government agencies, public health agencies; and policy makers. Act as sources of injury and/or violence prevention and control information for their constituents and stakeholders at the local, state, tribal, national, and global levels.