Alzheimer’s Research Program Transforming Research Award

Background
The Department of Defense (DOD) is issuing the FY25 Alzheimer’s Research Program Transforming Research Award to support non-incremental research aimed at reducing the risk of or preventing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). This program, initiated by Congress in 2011, aims to fund impactful research that addresses critical needs and improves the quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, their families, and the public affected by AD/ADRD. The program is managed by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) under the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

Grant Details
The Transforming Research Award supports robust research projects that significantly impact the AD/ADRD field. Key features include:
- Allowance for multiple principal investigators (PIs) under a Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option. Only the initiating PI submits a pre-application; all PIs must submit full applications.
- Community collaboration is required for clinical research projects.
- Projects must leverage existing resources and cohorts, especially those relevant to military health.
- The focus areas include advancing understanding of risk factors and developing risk reduction solutions for AD/ADRD.
- The maximum funding amount is $1 million per project with a performance period of up to three years.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include both extramural and intramural organizations, including foreign and domestic entities, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and public or private institutions. Principal Investigators can be independent researchers at any career level. For the CIT Partnership Option, at least one investigator must meet specific eligibility criteria related to their research experience.

Period of Performance
The maximum period of performance for funded projects is three years.

Grant Value
The total funding available for this opportunity is approximately $4 million, with individual awards capped at $1 million.

Place of Performance
The grant does not specify exact geographic locations but encourages leveraging existing resources that may address military health challenges.