The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Aging (NIA), has announced a funding opportunity titled Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias under funding opportunity number PAR-25-331. This opportunity seeks to support exploratory and developmental research aimed at advancing understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). The initiative encourages innovative research to develop new tests, animal models, and techniques requiring additional preliminary data to establish broader applicability in the field. The priority research topics will be communicated through subsequent Notices of Special Interest.

The initiative aligns with the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), which aims to prevent and effectively treat AD and ADRD by 2025. The funding opportunity emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to address the heterogeneity and multifactorial etiology of these diseases. Research areas may include biomedical, behavioral, and social factors contributing to AD and ADRD. Additionally, efforts are encouraged to address health disparities observed among racial, ethnic, rural, and other underserved populations affected by AD and ADRD. Outreach tools such as OutreachPro are available to aid recruitment and retention in clinical research studies.

The combined budget for direct costs across the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000, with no more than $200,000 requested in any single year. The maximum project period is two years. Applications may include or exclude clinical trials. Funding will depend on the availability of appropriations and the submission of meritorious proposals.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, and foreign organizations. Foreign and non-domestic entities, as well as foreign components of U.S. organizations, are eligible to apply. Applicants must ensure completion of registrations with the System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (for foreign entities), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Principal Investigators must also have an active eRA Commons account.

Applications will be evaluated based on their significance, innovation, scientific rigor, feasibility, investigator expertise, and the adequacy of institutional resources. Specific emphasis will be placed on the study's potential to address critical gaps in AD and ADRD research and to support the inclusion of diverse populations. Plans for recruitment, retention, and data management and sharing will also be assessed as part of the review process.

The earliest submission date is February 11, 2025, with application due dates recurring through November 16, 2027. Scientific merit reviews will occur in July, November, March, and subsequent cycles, with advisory council reviews scheduled for October, January, May, and following cycles. Awards are expected to begin in December, April, and July, depending on the review cycle.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the scientific, peer review, and grants management contacts listed in the funding announcement for clarification or additional support during the application process.