The Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center solicits proposals for NIA-funded developmental projects from investigators who want to develop research on Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, or other neurodegenerative dementias. Applications pertinent to basic mechanisms of memory, learning and cognition with relevance for aging and dementia are also welcome, as are proposals on studies of health services for memory care and dementia. Previous experience in research on neurodegeneration is not required. The specific purpose of an NIA developmental project grant from the Center is to help an investigator obtain preliminary data leading to extramural funding. The success of the program is evaluated based on this goal.
Funding
The IADRC may fund up to five developmental projects up to $50,000 per year to support Alzheimer's disease research in areas ranging from basic to translational and clinical investigations. Studies of pre-clinical phases of disease and approaches useful in differentiating disease processes from normal aging, as well as multi-etiology dementia, early interventions, imaging and biomarkers, are encouraged. Applicants may consult with ADRC scientists for strategic and statistical advice.
Funding Awards are anticipated for July 1, 2027.
Eligibility
New/early stage faculty (i.e. instructor, assistant professor, or equivalent, with institutional privileges to serve as PI on federal grants).
Application Deadline
- Letter of Intent (no longer than one page) is due Friday, November 13. Email the LOI to iadrcac@iu.edu.
- Application due Monday, Jan. 4, 2027
- Cover letter confirming your proposal is a NEW pilot project and not supported by federal or non-federal sponsored goals
- NIH Biosketch (SciENcv)
- Proposal
- Lay Summary (half page)
- Abstract (half page)
- Specific Aims (half page)
- Research plan and references (1½ pages, including preliminary data, although not required)
Criteria for Review
- Investigator potential and eligibility
- Novelty, importance and feasibility of the proposed research
- Likelihood of generating independent funding and publishable results
- Use of IADRC resources (e.g. data and/or biospecimens from IADRC participants or their inclusion in a pilot study) and/or resources available through the NACC and/or NCRAD are strongly encouraged. IADRC resources include clinical/cognitive/neuroimaging, multi-omics and digital pathology data, as well as biofluids and brain tissue.
- Proposed work should adhere to NIH guidelines for statistical rigor, animal welfare, and protection of human subjects.
The funding of the IADRC Developmental Projects is conditional on continued support form the National Institute on Aging, as well as approval of recommended proposals by the program officer.
Applicant Forms
Applicants should use the PHS 398 Forms and include PHS 398 Form pages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Biographical Sketch for each Key Personnel; Resources Page; Checklist; and, if applicable, Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table. A one-page cover letter that includes complete contact information for Principal Investigator is also required.
The Research Plan is limited to three pages and must include the following information:
In a maximum of one-half page, this section should contain goals of the research, expected outcomes/impact on the research field(s), and objectives.
Detail the importance of the problem and how the project will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability etc.
Describe novel approaches, methodologies, instrumentation, and so forth as well as any advantage over existing ones. How does the application challenge/seek to shift the current research paradigm?
Overall strategy, methodology and analyses. How will data be collected, analyzed and interpreted. What potential problems, alternative strategies exist? Include PI’s preliminary studies (if any) and experience. One year timeline and milestones. Include statistical plan and power calculations/considerations if relevant.
Describe plans to apply for extramural funding related to the pilot project, including funding sources; specific NIH PA’s and RFA are suggested.
Provide details on how this pilot project is related to the IADRC scientific program and/or uses center resources, including database, clinical cohort participants, biosamples, model systems, expertise, etc.
Application Evaluation
When evaluating applications, the following criteria are considered:
- Scientific Merit: Potential impact, significance, innovation, feasibility
- Investigator(s): Expertise and/or potential contributions
- Likelihood of Funding: Project’s potential to secure extramural funding (R01 or similar grants)
- Alignment: Relation to the IADRC’s scientific program and use of center resources
The funding of the IADRC’s pilot project program is contingent on continued support from the National Institute on Aging as well as approval of recommended projects by the NIA Program Officer. Questions should be directed to Sarah Van Heiden, PhD, MPH or (317) 963-5597.
Program Goals
Overall goals of the IADRC NIA P30 (2021-2026):
Support, enhance and expand innovative research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias targeting pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Provide critical research resources and infrastructure to support existing studies and enable new innovative research, including a well-characterized longitudinally followed cohort of research participants.
Strongly support local, regional and national/international dementia research collaborations to further the goals of the NIA, national ADRC Network, NAPA and related federal priorities.
Provide educational and training opportunities related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for learners of all levels, including those with diverse backgrounds and needs.
2025-26 Awardees
Project: Discovering Reproducible Multi-Dimensional Neuroimaging Mechanisms for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease
Project: In Vivo Characterization of White Matter Hyperintensity Using Individualized Analysis of Multimodal Imaging
Project: Effect of regulating immune cell functions in Alzheimer's disease
2023-25 Awardees
Dustin Hammers
Project: Clinical, neurological, and Alzheimer's biomarker correlates of primary care patients failing a digital cognitive screening tool
Hande Karahan
Project: Investigating the role of Cyfip1 in Alzheimer's disease-related pathologies
Cristian Lasagna-Reeves
Project: Seed-competent Tau specie as a biomarker and therapeutic entry point for Alzheimer's Disease treatment
Salman Shahid
Project: Quantifying Alterations in Neurometabolism and Microstructural Organization in Amyloid-Beta Pathology
2023-24 Awardees
Hande Karahan
Project: Investigating the role of Cyfip1 in Alzheimer's disease-related pathologies
Nian Wang
Project: High-resolution magentic resonance imaging for Alzheimer's Disease neruopathology
2021-23 Awardees
Luke Dabin and Jungsu Kim
Project: Peripheral single-cell epigenetic markers of sporadic Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Jason Meyer
Project: Modeling polygenic risk for Alzheimer's disease with human induced pluripotent stem cells
Sophia Wang
Project: The role of COVID-19 symptom severity and APOE genotype in cognitive and neuroimaging outcome