Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Funds for Forecasting Model

NIH’s National Institute of Aging has posted Funding Opportunity Announcement (RFA-AG-09-007) for researchers to develop models that will forecast Medicare expenditures and provide insight into cost growth and population aging. According to the announcement, measuring future Medicare expenditures requires more than just understanding factors beyond cost growth and needs to take into consideration other factors such as disabilities and life expectancy.

In addition, changes in population health may also impact productivity and affect the tax base that serves as a revenue stream for the Medicare program. Increases in Medicare premiums under current law may lead to less consumption of healthcare leading to changes in population health.

Eligible applicants can include private institutions of higher education, small businesses, Native American tribal governments, and for profit and non-profit organizations. Applicants are to develop the next generation of innovative models to use to forecast Medicare expenditures.

The grant opportunity will support up to $800,000 per year in total costs over five years for all projects awarded. NIA anticipates making 2 to 3 awards under this FOA.

The funding opportunity was posted June 13, 2008 at www.grants.gov . Letters of intent must be received by September 9, 2008, and the FOA application is due October 29, 2008. For more information, contact John W.R. Phillips at 301-496-3138 or email phillipi@mail.nih.gov.