About the ALZ WW-FNFP grant

The World Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network launched in 2017 as the first global network of multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia risk reduction and ultimately prevention. Studies that participate in the WW-FINGERS network aim to apply, test and optimize the FINGER-like model to reduce risk across the spectrum of cognitive decline in different geographical, cultural and economic settings in individuals at greater risk as they age.

To support the expansion and opportunity for advancing this research, the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a pilot funding program for WW-FINGERS Network projects. The ALZ WW-FNFP will provide initial/startup funding and/or opportunities for ongoing studies to initiate WW-FINGERS like studies, to expand these studies or to add/leverage unique opportunities that enhance the study. This will be a competitive funding program and all submissions will be reviewed. This grant is open to U.S. and international researchers.

Program objective

The World Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network launched in 2017 as the first global network of multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia risk reduction and ultimately prevention. Studies that participate in the WW-FINGERS network aim to apply, test and optimize the FINGER-like model to reduce risk across the spectrum of cognitive decline in different geographical, cultural and economic settings in individuals at greater risk as they age.

In order to succeed in providing broad accessibility to and representation of the global community, there is a significant need for seed funding and opportunities to advance a WW- FINGERS network study. The WW-FINGERS network is a collaboration led by the scientific lead, Dr. Miia Kivipelto and the FINGER team and the Alzheimer’s Association.

To support the expansion and opportunity for advancing this research, the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a pilot funding program for WW-FINGERS Network projects. The Alzheimer’s Association WW- FINGERS network funding program (ALZ WW-FNFP) will provide initial/startup funding and/or opportunities for ongoing studies to initiate WW-FINGERS like studies, to expand these studies or to add/ leverage unique opportunities that enhance the study. This will be a competitive funding program and all submissions will be reviewed.

Program overview

The WW-FINGERS Network includes over 40 countries to date with varying access to the infrastructure and funds needed to run a trial that evaluates a multi-domain intervention. The WW-FNFP is open to proposals from the Network that are in need of financial support (up to $1,000,000 (USD) total for up to 3 years). The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the needs of each study may be varied and the costs to conduct the study may also be varied; we anticipate most requests to be in the $200,000-$400,000 (USD)/year range.

The support needed for each study will differ by the infrastructure and resources at each site, and is open to requests that range from start-up costs for infrastructure development, for pilot studies, for supplemental support for ongoing and/or newly established studies or for work that aims to add-on new measures or assessments (i.e. biomarkers) measures.

Funding and award period

The maximum grant amount is up to $1,000,000 (USD) and the project duration is up to 3 years with no minimum timeframe. No indirect costs are allowed on this award. The Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with global experts appropriate for the study proposal, will evaluate projects on progress toward specific milestones; continued disbursement of funds is dependent on demonstrated progress toward key milestones.

Eligibility

• The ALZ WW-FNFP is available to researchers in the WW-FINGERS Network. To join the network, please reach out to Emily Meyers at easmeyers@alz.org. WW-FINGERS Network studies should have initial discussions with the Alzheimer's Association team. Studies are only eligible if they are similar in planning to a Level 2 or Level 1 study, as defined in Figure 1 (below) and described in Kivipelto et al (2020) Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Level 3 studies will be considered if the funding allows them to be moved to a Level 2 or Level 1 study. Level 1 studies seeking to expand or leverage a unique opportunity for their study will also be considered.

• The Principal Investigator of the project must be a full-time faculty member or full-time paid employee of the submitting organization. Investigators who have received Alzheimer’s Association funding for a related or other study and are currently delinquent in submitting required reports or have awards closed as “Incomplete” are not eligible to apply.

• For questions about eligibility, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at grantsapp@alz.org and specify that you are seeking clarification regarding the WW-FNFP program eligibility.

• Alzheimer’s Association grants are open to scientists and researchers globally; however, as a U.S.-based charity, the Alzheimer’s Association complies with U.S. law and cannot award grants in violation of it.

• Consequently, the Alzheimer’s Association cannot fund any individual or entity (i) that is subject to U.S. comprehensive or targeted sanctions, (ii) that is on the U.S. List of Specially Designated Nationals or entities owned or controlled by such persons, or (iii) when doing so is otherwise prohibited by U.S. laws related to combating terrorism.

Submission process

Pre-submission inquiries will be accepted at any time. Please use the template provided and include the following:

• Describe the status of the project and what is being requested

• Overview of the geographical location of the study (cultural, economic, sites, etc.), expertise of the study team, information on the population to be engaged and community that will be involved, and a high level description of the proposed intervention.

• Describe future plans or long-term goals of the initiative (i.e. are there opportunities for federal funding, for partnership, other ways for sustainability, etc)

• Level of study as defined by the above criteria and Kivipelto et al (2020) Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Please send the pre-submission inquiry to grantsapp@alz.org. Pre-submission inquiries will be welcome at any time; following pre-submission inquiries, applications will be invited for those that meet the program objectives. Proposed deadlines will be discussed with teams invited to submit full applications.

Review process

The Alzheimer’s Association will review pre-submission inquiries with appropriate expertise for evaluation and review on the project plan, feasibility, impact and study team. Following this review, PIs will be contacted and provided additional details for the next steps.

Submitting a full application

Additional materials will be required for those invited to submit a full application. Templates and instructions will be provided after approval of the pre-submission inquiry. Full applications will include:

• Executive Summary (1 page).

• Background/ Rationale (1 page): should include background and clearly defined hypothesis and/or rationale addressing why strategy is expected to be fruitful. This should also note the specific aims.

• Work Plan (up to 5 pages): should include goals/specific aims, methods and project plan and should be organized in alignment with the milestones as outlined in the application. Project Milestones: workplan should be separated into one-year intervals with specific milestones to be accomplished within that timeframe. Milestones should align with the overall project goals and be designed for easy progress evaluation and for clear determination on whether or not milestones have been met. For each milestone, indicate the relevant Project Aim. (No upload required).

• Principal Investigator(s) and Key Personnel Curriculum Vitae or Biosketch (no more than 5 pages per person); there is no limit on the number of CVs to be included.

• Available Resources and Budget Justification (2 pages):

  • Expenses that will not be allowed under this award include: tuition for full degree programs, rent for laboratory/office space, construction or renovation costs, liability insurance, networking and communication fees, and any facilities fees and laboratory/supply costs not directly relevant to the project.

  • If awarded, a full budget of planned expenses will be required. Include a list of tools/models available (if appropriate, list critical tools and models to be used or needed in the course of the research).

  • No indirect costs will be allowed.

  • Budget should be broken down in 1-year increments and align with project milestones.

• Citations/References (1 page): Use the reference style that is most common in the major journal(s).

• W9/W8 Documentation.

Additional details

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure and verify that:

• The application is submitted by the receipt date/time deadline. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from proposalcentral.com that your application was successfully submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation, click the Proposals tab and under the “Status” column, make sure it says Submitted and not In Progress, which indicates you have not yet submitted your application.

• The application is complete and accurate before submission.

• Only a single copy of an application will be accepted.

• We do not require signatures at the time of submission. The signature page provided is for use should your institution/organization require signatures; we do not override any institutional policies and/or procedures. Please do not submit the signature page with your application

• Revisions, additional materials, and/or reference, manuscripts, appendices, etc., are not allowed and, if attached, will be removed from your application.

• Up to 3 letters of support (no more than 2 pages each) are allowed. Additional letters will be removed

Multiple and overlapping submissions

Multiple submissions from one applicant is not permitted. This includes multiple submissions from the same group and/or collaborators.

Allowable costs under this award

• Small pieces of laboratory equipment and laboratory supplies (purchases over $10,000 require prior approval, even if included in the project proposal budget).

• Computer software if used strictly for data collection and/or analysis.

• Salary for the principal investigator, scientific (including postdoctoral fellows) and technical staff (including modest administrative support).

• Research supplies needed for the proposed studies.

• Support for travel to scientific and professional meetings, not to exceed $1,000 in any given year.

• Open access publications fees are appropriate and reasonable for the project budget.

Not allowable as direct costs under this award include:

• Computer hardware or standard software (e.g., Microsoft Office).

• Construction or renovation costs.

• Tuition.

• Rent for laboratory/office space.

• Salary and/or compensation for Alzheimer’s Association staff or for current members of the Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Group (MSAG), International Research Grant Program (IRGP) Council.

• No indirect costs are allowed.