PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To encourage biomedical, social, and behavioral research and research training directed toward greater understanding of the aging process and the diseases, special problems, and needs of people as they age. The National Institute on Aging has established programs to pursue these goals. The biology of aging program emphasizes understanding the basic biological processes of aging. The geriatrics program supports research to improve the abilities of health care practitioners to respond to the diseases and other clinical problems of older people. The behavioral and social research program supports research that will lead to greater understanding of the social, cultural, economic and psychological factors that affect both the process of growing old and the place of older people in society. The neuroscience and neuropsychology of aging program fosters research concerned with the age-related changes in the nervous system as well as the related sensory, perceptual, and cognitive processes associated with aging. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To expand and improve the SBIR program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. HEALTH;
- Health Research - General;
- Prevention and Control;
- Specialized Health Research and Training;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- Local;
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Individual/Family;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Student/Trainee;
- Scientist/Researcher;
- U.S. Citizen;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Individual/Family;
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);