The FY25 Alzheimer’s Research Program Transforming Diagnosis Award (TrDA), issued by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), seeks to support impactful and solution-oriented research focused on improving the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Managed by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), the TrDA mechanism is part of the broader Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP), which began in 2011 to address critical gaps in understanding and treating Alzheimer’s, particularly within military contexts. The AZRP has been appropriated a total of $198 million through FY24, with $15 million allocated for FY25.

This funding opportunity is designed to foster research that substantially advances diagnostic and prognostic tools for AD/ADRD, especially those relevant to military populations and underserved communities. The focus is on eliminating key barriers such as cost, technology accessibility, applicability, and clinical implementation. Projects must provide a non-incremental advance in the field and should not include animal studies or basic biomarker discovery. Clinical trials are also prohibited, though clinical research using human data, samples, and participant interaction is allowed.

Applicants may choose to apply under a single Principal Investigator (PI) or the Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option, which supports collaborative efforts between two PIs, particularly involving early-career researchers. Community collaboration is a mandatory element for all proposals, necessitating meaningful partnerships with individuals or organizations representing people with lived AD/ADRD experience. These collaborations are integral throughout the research process from planning to dissemination.

The total funding available for this award is approximately $3.2 million, with individual awards capped at $1.5 million for single PI applications and $1.7 million for CIT partnerships. The maximum period of performance is four years. Applications must demonstrate a clear path to clinical applicability and include substantial preliminary data. Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2026, using FY25 funds, which expire September 30, 2031.

To apply, a two-step submission process is required: a pre-application via eBRAP by June 12, 2025, and a full application by August 29, 2025, if invited. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov for extramural applicants. Various attachments are required, including a Project Narrative, Community Collaboration Plan, Progression Plan, and an Impact Statement. Evaluation criteria include technical merit, research strategy, community involvement, progression feasibility, and overall impact on diagnosis and care for AD/ADRD populations.

For support, applicants can contact the eBRAP Help Desk at help@eBRAP.org or 301-682-5507, and Grants.gov support at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726. More information, including application templates and guidance documents, can be accessed through eBRAP.