Congratulations to Our 2025 New Investigator Award Winners!
We're thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 New Investigator Awards! Ten exceptional early-career researchers from across the ADRC network have been selected to receive $135,000 each to advance innovative Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research. These awards represent a $1.35M investment in the next generation of AD/ADRD scientists.
View the complete list of 2025 awardees and their innovative research projects
Program Overview
The New Investigator Award Program (NIAP), in collaboration 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. The Alzheimer's Association is the world's largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer's and all dementia science, with over $360 million in funding committed today to over 1,000 projects in 53 countries.
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 ongoing collaboration, NACC and the Alzheimer's Association continue to partner to offer the NIAP, reinforcing their shared commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of the next generation of AD/ADRD researchers.
Key Features of the NIAP
Up to ten awards available annually
$135,000 in direct costs per award
One to two-year project duration
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.
Program Impact
The NIAP has demonstrated exceptional growth and impact since its inception, with a 329% average surge in applications across recent funding cycles showing extraordinary ADRC engagement. The program has evolved from supporting 19 applications in 2021 to 138 final applications from 34 out of 36 ADRCs in 2025, representing 94% program participation.
Beyond immediate funding, the program creates lasting career benefits: 83% of participants report that the mentorship program better prepared them for future grant applications, and 93% applied for additional grants following their NIAP application. The program's mentorship component has proven particularly valuable, with mentor relationships continuing beyond the funding cycle, and 64% of mentees have applied for additional grants following their NIAP application.
2025 NIAP Awardees
Congratulations to Our 2025 Awardees! Discover the innovative research being conducted by our newest award recipients and learn about their innovative approaches to AD/ADRD science.
View 2025 Awardees and Their Research Projects →
Previous Years
Discover how the NIAP has helped shape the trajectory of early-career researchers in AD/ADRD since the program's inception.
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.
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 match mentors with mentees based on research expertise and background. The program focuses on reviewing and providing feedback on proposal drafts and specific aims, with mentors and mentees expected to participate in two review and feedback sessions before the application deadline.
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 - 2025 Results
Mentee Outcomes:
82% of applicants requested and were matched with mentors
83% of applicants agreed that the mentorship strengthened their proposal (up from 80% in 2024)
85% of applicants found it easy to connect with their mentor to obtain feedback
93% of applicants expressed confidence they could apply this guidance to future grant applications
7 of the 10 awardees participated in the mentorship program
Mentor Experience:
92% of mentors believed they supported their mentees in strengthening their proposals (up from 82% in 2024)
99% of mentors express interest in continuing their mentor role in future award cycles (up from 95% in 2024)
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 during an active funding cycle. 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 when the program is accepting applications. The mentorship program is designed to support applicants success not just in the NIAP application, but in their broader career as AD/ADRD researchers.
Resources
2025 NIAP Request for Applications (RFA) Document
Alzheimer's Association Funding Opportunities
ADRC Director Letter of Support Template
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? We're Here to Help
We encourage applicants and interested researchers to reach out with any questions or concerns about the NIAP, including general program information, eligibility requirements, application processes, and the mentorship program. Our team is committed to supporting new investigators across the ADRC Program.
For general inquiries about the program, application processes, eligibility, and the NIAP Mentorship Program, contact:
Subscribe to NIAP Updates
Sign up for the New Investigator Award Program email list to receive announcements about future funding cycles, application deadlines, and early-career opportunities in AD/ADRD research.
The NIAP represents our ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of AD/ADRD researchers and advancing scientific discovery through innovative, collaborative research.