The AARF-D grant program is intended to support exceptional researchers who are engaged in their post-graduate work (i.e. postdoctoral fellows) and before they have their first independent faculty positions (i.e. Assistant Professor) and working in diverse areas of research, including basic, translational, clinical, functional and social-behavioral research. Investigators doing clinically-focused research without clinical practice are encouraged to apply.
The objective of this award is to increase the number of highly trained investigators from diverse backgrounds whose basic, clinical and social/behavioral research interests are grounded in the advanced methods and experimental approaches needed to solve problems related to Alzheimer’s and all dementias in general and in health disparities populations. The Alzheimer's Association recognizes the need to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups participating in biomedical and behavioral research. We anticipate that by providing these research opportunities, the number of scientists from underrepresented groups entering and remaining in biomedical research careers in Alzheimer's and all other dementia will increase.
This grant is open to U.S. and international researchers.
Letter of Intent deadline: Feb. 27, 2025
Applications will be accepted from postdoctoral fellows (or an equivalent level position) with full-time positions at their respective academic institution and less than 13 years of research experience after receipt of their terminal degree.
Each AARF-D award is limited to $200,000. Component parts of the award include:
- A total of $180,000 will be awarded for costs related to the proposed research for up to three years (minimum 2 years = $140,000) for direct (including travel) and indirect costs. Requests in any given year may not exceed $70,000 (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 any to subcontracts.
- A total of $7,500 over a three year period may be requested for travel purposes and is not to exceed $2,000 in any given year. If you request the full $7,500 towards just two years of travel and are requesting a three year award you will not be able to request travel funds for one of those years.
- The remaining funds are two $10,000 research stipends ($10,000 to the applicant and $10,000 to the primary mentor), which are not guaranteed and are awarded only upon successful completion of the award. Successful completion of the award includes, but is not limited to, successfully achieving project aims and accomplishing all of the Fellowship benchmarks. These research stipends are to be applied to sustaining ongoing research in the Alzheimer’s field and will be paid to the applicant‘s and mentor‘s respective institutions at the time of release.