The *NIA Predoctoral Fellowship Award to Promote Diversity in Translational Research for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD)* (F31) is a new opportunity offered by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This fellowship supports the development of promising predoctoral candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, with a focus on building expertise in data science and drug discovery to advance AD/ADRD research. It aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical research workforce by fostering early-stage researchers who will contribute to precision medicine approaches and team-based science in areas such as treatment, prevention, diagnosis, and dementia care management.

The program offers financial support and intensive mentorship to predoctoral candidates working at the dissertation stage of their research. Research areas covered include multi-disciplinary projects such as data-driven analysis of Alzheimer’s risk, drug repurposing, behavioral research to develop population-level interventions, and studies involving digital health tools for monitoring cognitive function. Applicants can gain experience in clinical trials led by a mentor, though leading an independent clinical trial is not permitted under this award. The training plan must align with the applicant’s long-term career goals and demonstrate how the fellowship will prepare the candidate for an independent research career.

The award offers a maximum of five years of support, including stipends to cover living expenses, tuition, and institutional allowances for research supplies, travel, and health insurance. For fiscal year 2022, NIA anticipates funding five awards with a total allocation of $130,000 in direct costs. The availability of future awards will depend on NIH appropriations and the quality of submitted applications. All awards follow the policies outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and indirect costs will not be separately reimbursed, as these are accounted for in the institutional allowance.

Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a PhD or equivalent research degree program in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. They must demonstrate a commitment to pursuing an independent research career and belong to groups underrepresented in the scientific workforce. Institutions serving diverse populations, such as Hispanic-serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), are particularly encouraged to participate. Applicants must identify a sponsoring institution with appropriate research resources and a mentor committed to providing structured and supportive training.

Applicants are required to submit proposals through the NIH ASSIST system or Grants.gov. A diversity statement is mandatory, detailing the applicant's contributions to enhancing diversity in science and demonstrating the institution’s support for an inclusive training environment. Submissions must conform strictly to NIH guidelines, and incomplete applications may be rejected. Standard NIH due dates apply, and applications should be submitted by 5:00 PM local time on the relevant deadline to allow for corrections before final submission.

The evaluation process will focus on the quality of the applicant’s academic record, research plan, and commitment to a scientific career. Reviewers will assess the alignment between the candidate's project and NIA’s mission to promote diversity and translational research in AD/ADRD. Additional factors include the mentor’s qualifications, the feasibility of the research timeline, and the institutional environment’s suitability for fostering the applicant’s development.

This fellowship represents an essential step in diversifying the AD/ADRD research community by investing in young scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. By providing targeted training, the program aims to prepare fellows to address challenges in Alzheimer's research and transition smoothly into independent research careers. Awardees will receive progress reviews through the NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) system, and the program will monitor long-term outcomes to assess its impact on enhancing diversity and expanding the translational research workforce.