The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National Institute on Aging (NIA), invites applications for the establishment of the Coordination Center for the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) Consortium. This initiative, funded through a U01 Research Project Cooperative Agreement, aims to provide leadership and technical expertise across all aspects of the ADSP, which focuses on identifying genetic risk and protective factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). The Coordination Center will oversee the administration, collaboration, communication, resource dissemination, education, and training activities of the consortium, with the overarching goal of fostering synergy and enhancing the global research community's access to ADSP resources.

The primary objectives of the ADSP Coordination Center are to integrate the efforts of various ADSP components, including studies on diverse cohorts, genetic analysis projects, phenotype harmonization, functional genomics, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and data-sharing infrastructures. The center will also manage cross-consortium activities such as outreach, dissemination, training, and collaborations with NIH- and NIA-funded programs. It aims to create a collaborative environment that emphasizes diversity, innovation, and resource accessibility to advance AD/ADRD research and support translational studies for therapeutic development.

The NIA intends to allocate $1.6 million in fiscal year 2025 to support one award with a maximum project period of five years. Application budgets must not exceed $1 million in direct costs annually and should reflect the project’s actual needs. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal governments, public housing authorities, and faith-based organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants must register with several systems, including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, well in advance of submission. A multidisciplinary team with global expertise in AD genetics, organizational management, and consortium coordination is strongly encouraged.

Submission of a Letter of Intent is due by February 14, 2025, and the full application is due by March 14, 2025. The application must detail the organizational framework, plans for consortium administration, and strategies for achieving key functions, such as governance, collaboration, resource sharing, and training. The Coordination Center will also be responsible for establishing an accessible public-facing website to share resources and findings, as well as an internal platform for consortium members. Proposals must demonstrate the team’s capability to manage large-scale, multi-site research efforts and align with the ADSP’s mission of promoting diversity, innovation, and data sharing in AD/ADRD research.

Applications will be evaluated based on their significance, innovation, approach, and the expertise of the investigative team. The review process will assess the rigor of the proposed methods, the feasibility of the plans, and the adequacy of resources. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies to enhance collaboration, foster inclusivity, and address emerging challenges within the ADSP consortium. Compliance with NIH data-sharing policies, including adherence to FAIR principles, will be required.

The Coordination Center’s responsibilities include providing leadership for ADSP activities, facilitating consortium meetings and working groups, supporting pilot projects led by early-career investigators, and integrating new technologies to advance genetic analyses. It will also oversee training programs to support the development of a diverse AD/ADRD research workforce, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups. For questions about this funding opportunity, applicants are encouraged to contact NIH program, review, or grants management staff as listed in the announcement.