The Department of Defense, through its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), has released the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) Transforming Research Award (TrRA) to fund non-incremental, high-impact research that targets risk reduction and prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD). The AZRP is managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), with the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) acting as the acquisition agent. Since its inception in 2011, the AZRP has received $198 million in appropriations, with $15 million appropriated for FY25. This funding mechanism emphasizes solution-oriented research that can tangibly enhance patient care and improve the quality of life for Service Members, Veterans, their families, and the general public affected by AD/ADRD.

The FY25 TrRA seeks proposals from both extramural and intramural organizations, including academic institutions, biotechnology companies, research institutes, and public or private entities, whether domestic or foreign. Individual principal investigators (PIs) at any career stage may apply. A special Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option allows for collaboration between two PIs to build research capacity and facilitate transitions into the AD/ADRD field. Community collaboration is mandatory for clinical research proposals, requiring applicants to partner with members of the lived experience community to ensure the research remains relevant and impactful.

Research projects must directly address one of two focus areas: the advancement of knowledge on AD/ADRD risk factors or the development of risk reduction solutions. Projects that primarily aim to develop pharmacological treatments or conduct basic mechanistic research are not eligible. Clinical trials are also excluded, though clinical research using data or specimens from existing trials is permitted. The maximum funding available per award is $1 million, with a performance period of up to three years. Approximately four awards are anticipated under this funding cycle.

The application process involves two steps: a pre-application (due June 12, 2025) and a full application (due August 29, 2025). Pre-applications are submitted through the Electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP), while full applications from extramural applicants are submitted via Grants.gov. All applicants must maintain active registrations with SAM.gov, eBRAP, and Grants.gov. Applications must include detailed documentation such as a project narrative, impact and progression plans, budget justifications, and, if applicable, community collaboration and animal research plans. Applications failing to meet these requirements may be administratively rejected or withdrawn.

Evaluation of submissions occurs through a two-tier process involving both peer and programmatic review. Proposals are judged on their potential impact, research strategy and feasibility, implementation plans, team qualifications, and alignment with the program’s mission. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within six weeks of the programmatic review in December 2025. Awards must be issued no later than September 30, 2026, with funds expiring by September 30, 2031. Funded investigators are required to provide annual and final technical progress reports and participate in at least one in-progress review.

For assistance with pre-application submissions, applicants may contact the eBRAP Help Desk at help@eBRAP.org or 301-682-5507. Grants.gov-related inquiries should be directed to support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726. All potential applicants are strongly advised to read the full program announcement and the General Application Instructions (version CD25_01) available on the eBRAP website.