Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 025

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 025

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PA-18-025) supports R01 grant applications that explore whether metformin, a widely used diabetes drug, has clinically meaningful effects on aging biology and age-related conditions beyond its established role as an antihyperglycemic agent. The premise behind the announcement is that results from multiple clinical studies in different patient groups have hinted that metformin may influence other physiologic pathways relevant to aging. NIH is seeking translational aging research that helps clarify whether metformin could delay harmful age-related changes, reduce risk for age-associated diseases, or extend healthspan (the portion of life spent in good health), and to do so using approaches that are practical and informative even at a relatively small scale.

The FOA is designed around two main types of projects. The first is small-scale physiologic studies in humans, which can include carefully controlled experiments that measure metformin-related changes in human physiology, functional outcomes, or biomarkers linked to aging processes. These studies are not framed as large, definitive clinical endpoint trials; instead, they are intended to generate strong mechanistic or translational evidence about how metformin affects human biology in ways that could plausibly matter for aging and age-related decline. The second major project type is secondary analysis, meaning applicants can use existing data and/or stored biospecimens from controlled clinical intervention studies to ask new aging-relevant questions. This can include reanalyzing datasets from prior randomized controlled trials or other controlled interventions where metformin was used, and leveraging banked samples to assess cellular or molecular markers that were not part of the original primary outcomes.

A central goal of the program is to identify which populations may be most likely to benefit from metformin treatment in the context of aging and age-related conditions. Rather than treating “older adults” as a single uniform group, the announcement encourages work that looks at subgroup differences, risk profiles, comorbidities, baseline metabolic status, or other characteristics that might predict a better response or different risk-benefit balance. In parallel, NIH is interested in research that clarifies metformin’s physiologic and cellular effects in humans, particularly effects that could reveal new molecular targets. In other words, even if metformin itself is not ultimately the best long-term intervention for aging-related outcomes, learning exactly what it does in people could point to new pathways and targets for future therapeutics.

The mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and the announcement notes “Clinical Trial Optional,” meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the scientific aims, but they are not required to do so. The overall emphasis is on controlled human evidence and translational relevance, either through new small studies or through rigorous analysis of existing controlled-study resources. The opportunity is categorized under education and health-related federal assistance, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.866.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types commonly able to hold NIH grants. 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and 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 categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities.

Administrative details in the source information indicate the opportunity was created on 2017-11-01 and lists an original closing date of 2020-05-07, reflecting the historical posting information provided. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the excerpt, so applicants typically would need to consult the full NIH announcement and related institute guidance for budget expectations, receipt dates (if multiple cycles apply), and any institute-specific priorities.

Taken together, the FOA is essentially a targeted call for human-focused translational research that can move the field from suggestive associations and mixed clinical observations toward clearer, mechanism-informed evidence about whether metformin can meaningfully influence aging biology, who might benefit most, and what actionable molecular insights can be extracted from its effects in people.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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.

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