Specialized Center Cooperative Agreements in Aging and/or Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) Research

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, plans to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under opportunity number PAR-25-461, titled "Specialized Center Cooperative Agreements in Aging and/or Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) Research." This upcoming funding opportunity aims to support U54 Specialized Center cooperative agreements that enable large-scale, multifaceted research efforts focused on aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias. These projects are expected to bring together multidisciplinary research teams to work collaboratively on complex, integrated components centered around a unified scientific question related to the stated themes. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance high-impact research that addresses the mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, or care strategies associated with aging and dementia. By facilitating the development of specialized research centers, the NIA seeks to accelerate scientific discovery, encourage collaboration, and support comprehensive research platforms that may include both basic and translational science. The structure of U54 cooperative agreements promotes tightly coordinated projects conducted by investigators within a single institution or through consortia. Funding will be provided to new applicants as well as those seeking renewal or revision of existing projects, provided the proposed research scope aligns with the parameters of the original funding opportunity under which the project was initially supported. The research must remain consistent with NIA’s programmatic priorities. Although the opportunity remains forecasted at this time, it will require substantial planning and collaboration, and applicants are urged to begin development efforts early. NIA has indicated that only a limited number of meritorious proposals will be funded under this NOFO due to anticipated high competition. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities, such as independent school districts, city and county governments, tribal governments and organizations (both federally recognized and otherwise), nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and others), public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. In addition, eligibility is extended to federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and faith-based or community-based organizations. This inclusive eligibility framework supports broad participation and collaboration across different sectors and institutions. The estimated post date of the NOFO is April 25, 2026, with applications anticipated to be due by June 26, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by April 30, 2027, which is also the estimated start date for funded projects. The NOFO does not impose a cost-sharing or matching requirement. At this forecast stage, neither the award ceiling nor the total funding amount has been specified. These details, along with specific evaluation criteria and submission instructions, will be released upon publication of the final NOFO. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIA program staff at [email protected] to discuss their project's relevance to the NOFO’s goals and to ensure responsiveness to the NIA’s mission. Early engagement with program officers is recommended to enhance the competitiveness of applications. This advance notice is intended to provide sufficient time for potential applicants to form collaborative teams and develop robust research strategies in alignment with the NIA’s expectations.