The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced its intent to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the "Coordination Center for the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP) Consortium." This initiative aims to renew and revise the Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC), expanding its scope and fostering innovative research in Alzheimer’s disease genetics. The NOFO will be issued under open competition, broadening eligibility compared to previous iterations. The funding mechanism will utilize the U01 cooperative agreement activity code, and clinical trials are not allowed under this program.
The purpose of this FOA is to establish a Coordination Center for the ADSP Consortium to facilitate data sharing, project coordination, and collaboration among participating researchers and institutions. The Coordination Center will serve as a central hub for managing genetic data related to Alzheimer’s disease and advancing the study of genetic risk factors and protective mechanisms. This initiative supports the broader mission of NIA to promote research aimed at understanding, diagnosing, and potentially treating Alzheimer’s disease through genetic discoveries.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Native American tribal entities, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. This open competition encourages diverse expertise and institutional participation to achieve the goals of the ADSP Consortium.
The NOFO is expected to be published on November 25, 2024, with applications due by February 14, 2025. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2025, with the project start date set for the same day. Prospective applicants should prepare to develop collaborative, multidisciplinary projects and align their applications with the mission and objectives of the ADSP Consortium.
Evaluation criteria will likely emphasize the applicant’s ability to coordinate complex datasets, foster collaboration across institutions, and advance the genetic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Proposals should also address the technical infrastructure required for data sharing and analysis. Full details on application formatting, budget requirements, and evaluation standards will be included in the forthcoming NOFO.
The estimated total program funding is $1,600,000, with a maximum award ceiling of $1,000,000. Cost-sharing or matching is not required, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of applicants. Only one award is expected to be granted, making this a highly competitive funding opportunity.
This NOFO provides a critical opportunity to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease research by supporting the infrastructure and collaboration needed to advance genetic discoveries. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov and related NIA announcements for updates and detailed instructions as the application period approaches.
