Exosomes: From Biogenesis and Secretion to the Early Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (R01) | RFA AG 17 051

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 17 051

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a discretionary grant funding opportunity titled "Exosomes: From Biogenesis and Secretion to the Early Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (R01)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-17-051 (CFDA 93.866). It uses the R01 research project grant mechanism and is aimed at supporting innovative, hypothesis-driven studies that clarify how exosomes are made and released, what they carry, and how these processes may influence the earliest stages of sporadic and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The emphasis is on early pathogenesis, meaning work that helps explain initial disease initiation and early spread rather than only late-stage neurodegeneration.

Scientifically, the FOA is centered on exosome biogenesis and secretion, and on the idea that exosomes may modulate and propagate disease processes in AD. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that shuttle proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. In the AD context, the announcement is essentially asking researchers to dig into the "molecular machines" that govern exosome formation and cargo loading, and to determine how those machines are regulated in ways that could affect AD-related pathways. The NIH signals strong interest in studies that identify, map, and characterize the cellular and molecular regulators of exosome production, release, and cargo selection, particularly when these mechanisms might help explain how pathological signals move across cells and brain regions during the earliest phases of disease.

A key feature of the opportunity is its encouragement of collaborative approaches. While the announcement does not prescribe a single experimental strategy, it clearly points toward multi-disciplinary projects where teams can combine expertise in cell biology (vesicle trafficking and membrane dynamics), neuroscience (AD-relevant models and early synaptic dysfunction), omics and cargo profiling (proteomics, transcriptomics, lipidomics), and disease mechanism work focused on sporadic and late-onset AD rather than purely familial forms. In practical terms, competitive applications would likely connect mechanistic work on exosome machinery (for example, pathways controlling vesicle formation, sorting, and release) to measurable consequences for AD-relevant phenotypes, such as early synaptic changes, neuroinflammatory signaling, or the movement of disease-associated molecules via extracellular vesicles.

From an eligibility standpoint, NIH cast a wide net. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; 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; 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; small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility language is meant to encourage participation from diverse institution types and to support collaborations that may extend beyond traditional U.S. academic centers.

Administratively, the opportunity was posted by NIH with an original closing date of 2017-02-03 and a creation date of 2016-10-25. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided source data, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text or NIH guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-specific funding considerations. Overall, the grant call is best understood as a targeted push to move beyond descriptive extracellular vesicle observations and toward mechanistic, regulation-focused studies that explain how exosome biology could shape the earliest steps of sporadic and late-onset Alzheimer's disease, potentially revealing new biomarkers, intervention points, or ways to slow early disease propagation.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exosomes: From Biogenesis and Secretion to the Early Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-02-03. (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.

Apply for RFA AG 17 051

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