Institutional Training Programs to Advance Translational Research on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Institutional Training Programs to Advance Translational Research on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD), under funding opportunity number PAR-25-247, is a reissue of PAR-24-121 administered by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This initiative aims to enhance the workforce trained to advance translational research for AD/ADRD by supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral level researchers across various scientific domains. The program is structured under the T32 Institutional National Research Service Award mechanism, which does not permit trainees to lead independent clinical trials but allows participation under the guidance of mentors. The overarching goal of this funding is to bridge expertise gaps in AD translational research by developing interdisciplinary scientific training programs. These programs must emphasize scientific rigor, safety, reproducibility, and collaborative research strategies. Target trainees include those with backgrounds in behavioral research, data science, biology, clinical research, and engineering. Programs are expected to foster comprehensive training, including methodological rigor, professional development, and mentorship. Applications should propose tailored, evidence-informed training activities and be aligned with the NIH's commitment to safe, supportive, and inclusive research environments. Funding will support stipends, tuition, travel, training-related expenses, and indirect costs at a rate of 8% of modified total direct costs. NIA anticipates funding 3-5 awards annually, with a total budget of approximately $2.7 million each year for FY 2025 through FY 2027. Each application may request funds reflecting the actual needs of the proposed program for a project period of up to five years. Although application budgets are not capped, cost requests must comply with NRSA guidelines and NIH cost principles. Eligible applicants include domestic higher education institutions, nonprofits, tribal governments, and eligible local and federal government entities. Applications from foreign institutions or non-U.S. components are not permitted. Each institution must demonstrate a commitment to supporting a research training infrastructure capable of delivering high-quality interdisciplinary education and mentorship. Institutions may submit multiple distinct applications. Program Directors/Principal Investigators must be established researchers capable of guiding both the scientific and administrative aspects of the program. Key dates include an open date of April 25, 2025, with application deadlines falling on May 25 and September 25 of each year until September 25, 2026. Letters of intent are due 30 days before each application deadline. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using ASSIST or an institutional system and comply strictly with the NIH's “How to Apply” guidelines. Program evaluation criteria include scientific merit, training effectiveness, mentorship quality, diversity of trainee and faculty backgrounds, and the potential for trainees to transition successfully into AD/ADRD research careers. Program contacts include Laura Major (NIATraining@mail.nih.gov) for submission inquiries, and scientific contacts Delany Torres, Yuan Luo, and Shreaya Chakroborty. Financial and peer review contacts are Jessi Perez and Ramesh Vemuri, respectively. Applications will be reviewed through NIH’s standard two-tiered peer review process with funding decisions based on merit, program priorities, and availability of funds.