Advancing Research on Empirically-Supported Interventions for Older Adults Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
About
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to foster research that will inform and support the optimization, delivery, sustainability, and effectiveness of empirically-supported practices for addressing the mental health needs of older adults with serious mental illness (SMI). To this end, NIMH seeks applications that propose work that is focused on practice-relevant questions and conducted within and/or across settings where older adults with SMI are likely to be identified as needing care (e. g., primary care and geriatric specialty clinics, assisted living and long-term care facilities, and community centers). Applications may propose research related to adapting, optimizing, and implementing efficacious treatment and services interventions and strategies to improve clinical and functional outcomes among aging populations; examining mutable factors that impact fair and impartial mental health care access, utilization, quality, and outcomes and may serve as targets for intervention development for older adults with SMI; and developing and testing innovative treatment and service interventions that address barriers to accessing quality mental health care. Projects may also focus on systems-level factors and approaches for addressing SMI and improving access to evidence-based interventions in later life, such as evaluation of health system policies and practices, interventions that facilitate care transitions and continuity across settings, and strategies to i.
This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01 grant opportunity is designed for researchers and research institutions dedicated to improving mental health care for older adults living with serious mental illness (SMI). This funding supports rigorous clinical research that bridges the gap between evidence-based interventions and real-world practice settings where older adults with SMI receive care—including primary care clinics, geriatric specialty facilities, assisted living communities, long-term care facilities, and community centers. Researchers can pursue projects focused on adapting and optimizing existing efficacious treatments, implementing evidence-based practices, examining barriers to mental health care access and quality, and developing innovative interventions that address systemic challenges. The grant particularly values practice-relevant research questions and studies conducted within actual care delivery settings. If your research team is investigating ways to improve mental health outcomes for aging populations with serious mental illness, enhance care transitions across settings, evaluate health system policies, or remove barriers to quality mental health care, this grant opportunity aligns with your work. Both domestic and international research organizations are eligible to apply, making this a broad opportunity for the global research community committed to advancing geriatric mental health care.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
October 15, 2026
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Varies by cycle—consult official NOFO
Deadline
2026-10-15
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual (Deadline: October 15, 2026)
Best For
Research institutions, universities, and organizations conducting clinical research on mental health interventions for older adults with serious mental illness
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Advancing Research on Empirically-Supported Interventions for Older Adults Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)?
Eligible applicants include domestic and non-domestic (international) research organizations, U.S. organizations with non-domestic components, and foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. For complete eligibility requirements, including institutional and investigator qualifications, refer to Section III of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the NIH website.
How much funding does Advancing Research on Empirically-Supported Interventions for Older Adults Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) provide?
The funding amount varies and is not specified in this listing. Contact the National Institute of Mental Health directly or consult the official NOFO for current funding ranges and award information for this R01 grant cycle.
How do I apply for Advancing Research on Empirically-Supported Interventions for Older Adults Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)?
Applications are submitted through the NIH grants application system. The application deadline is October 15, 2026. Visit the NIH NIMH website and locate the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed submission instructions, required forms, and application procedures. Consult Section III of the NOFO for all eligibility and submission requirements.
What can Advancing Research on Empirically-Supported Interventions for Older Adults Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding be used for?
Funding supports research on: adapting, optimizing, and implementing efficacious treatment and service interventions for older adults with SMI; examining mutable factors affecting mental health care access, utilization, quality, and outcomes; developing and testing innovative treatment and service interventions that address barriers to quality mental health care; and evaluating systems-level factors such as health system policies, care transitions, and strategies to improve access to evidence-based interventions in later life. Research should be conducted within or across actual care settings where older adults with SMI receive services.
Last updated: July 5, 2026