Introduction

The Alzheimer's Association Research Grant (AARG) program aims to fund early-career investigators who are less than 15 years past their doctoral degree or post-residency (M.D. or D.O.). This program provides newly independent investigators with funding to develop preliminary or pilot data, test procedures, and develop hypotheses. The goal is to support early-career development that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to federal or other funding entities.

Scope of Work

The AARG grant program supports individual research grants focused on Alzheimer's and all other dementia research. The program encourages young scientists from underrepresented groups to apply. The research projects should demonstrate innovation and novelty, align with the Alzheimer's Association's research priorities, and have a significant impact on the field.

Eligibility

Applicants must be an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor at their respective academic institution and less than 15 years past their doctoral degree or post-residency (M.D. or D.O.). The 15-year period applies to the date of submission of the grant application.

Career interruptions can be adjusted for events such as family leave, military service, and major illness or injury. The Alzheimer's Association will make exceptions to the terminal degree requirement when the individual applicant has a full-time faculty position of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) or Associate Professor and is expert in the area of public health, social work, neuropsychology, legal, bioethics or a related area of psychosocial research. Only one primary PI per application is allowed. Multiple PI projects are not allowed.

Budget and Duration

Each AARG award total is limited to $200,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to three years (Awards should be a minimum 2 years. For a 2-year award the total is limited to $140,000 with direct and indirect costs). Requests may not exceed $70,000 in any given year (direct and indirect costs). Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as to any subcontracts.

Additional Information

The Alzheimer's Association recognizes the need to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups in the research enterprise for Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Young scientists from these groups are encouraged to apply. The Alzheimer's Association cannot award grants in violation of applicable U.S. statutes and regulations. This means, among other things, that the Alzheimer’s Association cannot, and will not, fund any individual or entity that is subject to U.S. comprehensive or targeted sanctions or if awarding funding would result in a violation of such sanctions, that is on the U.S. List of Specially Designated Nationals or entities owned or controlled by such persons, or when doing so is otherwise prohibited by U.S. laws related to combating terrorism.

Key Dates

Letter of Intent deadline: September 5, 2024, 5 p.m. EST.

Letter of Intent notifications: Week of October 7, 2024.

Application deadline: November 12, 2024, 5 p.m. EST.

Award notifications: Prior to February 28, 2025.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by September 5, 2024. If invited to submit a full application, applicants must submit their application by November 12, 2024. Both the LOI and full application must be submitted through the ProposalCentral website. Registration is required.

ProposalCentral Website

Selection Process

Each AARG LOI is evaluated with attention to the demonstrable innovation/novelty of the proposed project, alignment with the research priorities of the Alzheimer’s Association, the impact of the project on Alzheimer’s and all other dementia research, and evidence of methodological rigour that address the research question(s) being proposed.

If invited to submit a full application, each AARG application is evaluated on the significance of the question being studied, applicant information, quality of the work plan, quality and adequacy of available resources and budget, impact-risk of the proposal, and impact on advancing diverse science.

Contact Information

For any inquiries or additional information, please get in touch with a member of the Alzheimer’s Association Research Grants Team at grantsapp@alz.org.

Reporting Requirements

This award requires annual scientific progress reports, annual financial reports, and annual reports on recruitment & retention efforts (if applicable). The continuation of the grant over the awarded duration is contingent upon the timely receipt of all required reports.

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.