Introduction

The Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity (AARG-D) is a funding opportunity designed to support early-career investigators who are less than 15 years past their doctoral degree or post-residency (M.D. or D.O.). The grant aims to increase the number of highly trained investigators from diverse backgrounds whose research interests are grounded in advanced methods and experimental approaches needed to solve problems related to Alzheimer's and all other dementias, particularly in health disparities populations.

Scope of Work

The AARG-D grant program aims to fund research projects that focus on Alzheimer's and all other dementias, with a particular emphasis on health disparities populations. The research should be innovative and contribute to the advancement of diverse science.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Assistant Professors or Associate Professors at their respective academic institution and less than 15 years past their doctoral degree or post-residency (M.D. or D.O.). Full Professors are ineligible. 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. Multiple PI projects are not allowed.

Applicants must also be from an underrepresented group in biomedical and behavioral research on a national, international or institutional basis. This includes individuals from the following groups:

• Blacks/African Americans
• Hispanics/Latinos
• American Indians/Alaska Natives
• Asian Americans
• Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders
• Socioeconomically disadvantaged populations
• Underserved rural populations
• Persons with disabilities
• Minoritized sexual and gender populations
• Individuals from economically developing nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean

Budget and Duration

Each AARG-D award total is limited to $200,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to three years (Award 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

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. Applications are submitted through the ProposalCentral website.

Selection Process

The LOIs are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrable innovation/novelty of the proposed project
• Alignment with the research priorities of the Alzheimer’s Association
• Impact of project on Alzheimer’s and related dementia research
• Evidence of methodological rigor that address the research question(s) being proposed

Full applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Significance of the question being studied
• Applicant information
• Quality of the work plan
• Impact on advancement of diverse science
• Quality and adequacy of available resources and budget
• Impact-Risk of the proposal

Contact Information

For any inquiries or additional information, please contact a member of the Alzheimer's Association Grants staff at grantsapp@alz.org.

Reporting Requirements

Awardees are required to submit 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.