Program Overview#

The New Investigator Award Program (NIAP), launched by the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association, is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to foster the career development of early-career investigators in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) research.

This program aims to encourage new and early career investigators to develop innovative research projects, foster collaborations within their Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and across the ADRC network and support their journey toward becoming independent researchers.

Building on the success of their previous collaboration, NACC and the Alzheimer's Association are again partnering to offer the NIAP for the 2025 funding cycle. This ongoing partnership reinforces their shared commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of the next generation of AD/ADRD researchers.

Key Features of the 2025 NIAP

• Up to ten (10) awards available

• $135,000 in direct costs per award

• One to two-year project duration (June 2025 through May 2027)

• Comprehensive mentorship program to support applicants through application process

• Focus on innovative, impactful research across the spectrum of AD/ADRD studies

The NIAP represents a core tenet of the missions of NACC, the Alzheimer's Association, and the ADRCs: funding early career investigators to drive forward understanding and treatment of AD/ADRD.

Key Dates#

Program Impact#

The NIAP has a proven track record of launching and advancing the careers of promising AD/ADRD researchers. Explore the real-world impact of our program:

NIAP Success Stories

Hear from Our Alumni

Watch Dr. Tamar Gefen, a former NIAP awardee, share her experience and the impact of the award on her career in AD/ADRD research.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply for the NIAP?#

Eligible candidates must be new investigators who meet the following criteria:

• Are affiliated with an ADRC (see ADRC Affiliation Requirements below)

• Are post-doctoral fellows, residents, or junior faculty

• Have not been promoted beyond assistant professor rank (MD or PhD)

• Are within 10 years of their terminal degree (exceptions may be considered for career disruptions)

• Have not received an R01 grant at the time of NIAP application

• Have a position that allows for at least 10-20% dedicated time to conduct the proposed research

• Have not previously received a New Investigator Award Program (NIAP) award

ADRC Affiliation Requirements

Affiliation with an ADRC is defined at the discretion of each ADRC Director and may vary across the ADRC Program. To qualify, applicants must provide a letter from their ADRC Director confirming the following:

• The applicant is affiliated with the ADRC, and this affiliation was established before October 2024 and is ongoing

• The specific nature of the affiliation, which may include but is not limited to:

  • Holding a formal position at the ADRC

  • Active engagement in ADRC activities

  • Receiving or being eligible to receive a salary from the ADRC

  • Working in an ADRC-affiliated laboratory

  • Being a faculty member or clinician associated with the ADRC

  • Being a postdoctoral researcher contributing to ADRC-funded research

• Important Notes:

  • The ADRC Director does not need to specify which criteria are met, only that the applicant is considered affiliated with the ADRC

  • The letter must confirm that the ADRC can manage and disburse the NIAP funds to the awardee via the ADRC's existing subcontract with NACC

  • A template for the ADRC Director's letter is available on ProposalCentral and can be downloaded here.

NIAP Research Guidelines#

The NIAP welcomes research proposals across the entire spectrum of ongoing work within the ADRC Program. Areas of study are open and diverse, encompassing a wide range of approaches including, but not limited to, data-driven and methodological studies that rely on credible data sources.

This broad scope reflects the program's commitment to fostering innovative research that can significantly advance our understanding of AD/ADRD.

Successful NIAP projects should aim to advance AD/ADRD science through innovative, rigorous, and impactful research. The Program encourages proposals that meet the objectives, scope, and focus noted here.

Key Objectives

• Demonstrate scientific rigor in methodology and approach

• Advance AD/ADRD science through novel and innovative approaches

• Identify and characterize important gaps in current knowledge

• Provide novel insights rather than replicating previous studies

Research Scope

Projects may span a wide range of study types, including but not limited to:

• Discovery science

• Translational research

• Clinical studies

• Health equity research

• Care-related investigations

• Recruitment science

• Data-driven analyses

Areas of Focus

Projects may focus on, but are not limited to:

• Environmental exposures and their impact on AD/ADRD

• Social and structural determinants of health

• Biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, or disease progression

• Underlying disease mechanisms

• Novel therapeutic approaches

• Psychosocial factors influencing AD/ADRD

• Recruitment science to enhance clinical study participation and diversity

• Health disparities in AD/ADRD

• Innovative approaches to participant engagement and retention

The complex nature of AD/ADRD necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to research. The NIAP encourages projects that draw from and integrate multiple scientific disciplines to address critical questions in the field. Research proposals may be rooted in various areas of expertise, including neuropathology, epidemiology, neurology, and psychiatry, which provide crucial insights into the biological underpinnings and clinical manifestations of AD/ADRD.

For more information on features of a successful new investigator research project, please download and read the Request for Proposal for the NIAP.

Data Sources#

New Investigator projects may leverage any data source or study base for their proposed study but must defend its scientific rigor to address their research questions. This includes secondary data analysis.

NIAP proposals do not require the use of NACC data. However, proposals that include plans for the investigator to visit and/or collaborate across and between ADRCs are strongly encouraged, including proposals based on the CLARiTI (Clarity in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research Through Imaging) initiative.

NIAP Mentorship Program#

NACC and the ADRC Research Education Component (REC) Steering Committee have partnered to provide the NACC-REC New Investigator Award Mentorship Program. This initiative offers invaluable support and guidance to new and early career investigators applying for a New Investigator Award.

Program Overview

• All NIAP applicants can request a mentor through their Letter of Intent.

• NACC and REC try to match mentors with mentees based on research expertise and background.

• The program focuses on reviewing and providing feedback on proposal drafts and specific aims.

• Mentors and mentees are expected to participate in two review and feedback sessions before the application deadline.

• These sessions can be conducted asynchronously to accommodate various schedules.

Key Features

• Expert Guidance: Mentors are experienced researchers from across the ADRC network.

• Personalized Support: Mentorship is tailored to each applicant's specific research focus and needs.

• Flexible Interaction: Meetings can be conducted virtually or in-person, based on mentor and mentee preferences.

• Proposal Strengthening: Mentors provide constructive feedback to enhance the quality of applications.

Mentorship Program Highlights

• Recent surveys of program participants have demonstrated the significant value of this mentorship initiative:

  • 77% of applicants requested mentors, all of whom were matched by NACC and REC.

  • 85.4% of mentees reported ease in connecting with their mentor for application guidance.

  • On average, mentees met with their mentors 2.7 times for review and feedback sessions.

  • 80.2% of mentees felt their mentor helped strengthen their proposal.

  • 92.2% of applicants expressed confidence in applying the guidance received to future grant applications.

Testimonials

Previous NIAP mentees have shared their positive experiences:

• "It was a great experience to have additional advice from faculty who are not at my home institution."

• "I think the mentor program was crucial, in my case, since it helped me take advantage of my previous papers in order to use them to build my grant. I'm very grateful."

Long-term Benefits

• Participation in the mentorship program offers benefits that extend beyond the NIAP application:

  • Exposure to diverse perspectives from experts outside your home institution

  • Development of grant writing skills applicable to future funding opportunities

  • Opportunity to build professional relationships within the AD/ADRD research community

  • Increased confidence in navigating the grant application process

How to Participate

To request a mentor, applicants should indicate their interest on the Letter of Intent form when they begin the NIAP application process. The NACC and REC teams will work to match applicants with appropriate mentors based on the applicants’ research interests and backgrounds.

We strongly encourage all applicants, especially those new to the grant writing process, to take advantage of this valuable opportunity. The mentorship program is designed to support applicants’ success not just in the NIAP application, but in their broader career as AD/ADRD researchers.

Application Process#

The NIAP application involves two main steps. All submissions must be made through ProposalCentral. Download the Request for Application (RFA) for detailed instructions on required documents, eligibility criteria, and submission guidelines.

1. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by November 8, 2024, 5pm EST.

   • Complete the LOI through ProposalCentral

   • Include: Investigator details, ADRC affiliation, project title, keywords, and brief description

   • Indicate if you'd like to be matched with a mentor

2. If your Letter of Intent is accepted, you will be notified via email that you are approved to submit a full application.

3. Prepare Specific Aims and Research Plan

   • Specific Aims (1 page)

   • Research Plan (6 pages total):

     • Significance

     • Innovation

     • Approach

   • Bibliography and References Cited (no page limit)

4. Complete Full Application in ProposalCentral by January 16, 2025, 5pm EST

   • Enter applicant information, proposal, and budget details

   • Upload required documents:

     • Research Plan (6 pages total)

     • Budget Justification and Resources (2 pages max)

     • ADRC Director's Letter of Support (1 page max)

     • Biographical Sketches (NIH-Format, 5 pages max each)

     • Additional Letters of Support (optional, limited to 3 letters of 1 page each)

While this overview provides essential information, we strongly encourage all applicants to carefully review the detailed application instructions in the full RFA. The RFA contains comprehensive guidance on the application process, including:

• Step-by-step submission instructions

• Required documents and their formats

• Specific content requirements for each application component

Download the 2025-2026 NIAP Request for Applications (RFA)

Budget Information

The NIAP offers substantial funding to support innovative AD/ADRD research projects. Here are the key budget details:

• Total Award: Up to $135,000 in direct costs

• Duration: One to two years (June 2025 through May 2027)

• Indirect Costs:

  • 10% for awards funded by the Alzheimer's Association

  • ADRC's federally negotiated rate for NACC-funded awards

Download the RFA for more information on allowable and non-allowable costs, budget preparation instructions, and other financial considerations for your proposal.

• Download the Full RFA Document

• For specific questions about budget preparation or allowable expenses, please refer to the RFA or contact grantsapp@alz.org and/or info@naccdata.org.

Note on Indirect Costs and Funding Source

The NIAP is a collaborative program between NACC and the Alzheimer's Association, which impacts how indirect costs are handled:

• Initial Application: ProposalCentral defaults to the Alzheimer's Association's 10% indirect cost rate for all applications.

• Potential Rate Changes: Indirect cost rates may change based on the final funding source:

  • Alzheimer's Association funding: 10% indirect cost rate (as preset in the application)

  • NACC funding: If selected, the indirect cost rate will be adjusted to align with the ADRC's federally negotiated indirect cost rate

• For Awards Receiving NACC Funding:

  • Applicants will be required to submit a Cover Page that aligns with NACC's sub-award to the ADRC

  • An updated budget page reflecting the ADRC's federally negotiated indirect cost rate will be required at the time of award

Applicants should prepare their initial budgets using the 10% indirect cost rate in ProposalCentral. However, please be aware that this rate may be adjusted after award decisions are made, depending on the funding source.

Review Process#

1. Initial screening by NACC and Alzheimer's Association

2. Peer review by NACC Scientific Review Committee (SRC)

3. Full panel discussion for top-ranked applications

4. Final approval by NACC Steering Committee and Alzheimer's Association Medical & Scientific Advisory Group

Review Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Overall Impact: The potential for the project to significantly influence relevant research fields

• Significance: The importance of the problem or critical barrier to progress that the proposed project addresses

• Investigator(s): The qualifications of the research team

• Innovation: The novelty of the research and/or methods

• Approach: The overall scientific strategy, methodology, and analyses

• Environment: The adequacy of the research setting

• Budget & Resources: Quality and suitability of the proposed budget and resources

• Additional Criteria

  • Protections for Human Subjects

  • Inclusion of underrepresented populations, including racial, ethnic, gender/sex, and other populations

For detailed information on the NIAP review process, please consult the full Request for Applications (RFA):

• Download the 2025 NIAP Request for Applications (RFA)

Resources#

• NIAP Request for Applications (RFA) Document

• ProposalCentral Application Portal

• ADRC Director Letter of Support Template

• Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? We're Here to Help#

We encourage applicants to reach out with any questions or concerns about the NIAP application process or eligibility requirements. Our team is committed to supporting you throughout your application journey.

For inquiries about the application process, ProposalCentral, general program information, eligibility, the NIAP Mentorship Program, contact: grantsapp@alz.org and info@naccdata.org.

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