Competition objectives

The competition, formerly known as the Pilot Research Grant Program, has become the New Investigator Research Grant Program (NIRG). This change is designed to reinforce the historical emphasis of this competition — to fund investigators who are no more than 10 years past their doctoral degree. 

The purpose of this program is to provide new investigators with funding that will allow them to develop preliminary or pilot data, to test procedures and to develop hypotheses. The intent is to support early-career development that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and other funding agencies and groups, including future proposals to the Alzheimer's Association. All applications submitted to the New Investigator Research Grant program must target defined areas of focus for fiscal year 2009 to be considered responsive to the program announcement (See Section II of the program announcement). 

The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the need to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups in the research enterprise. Young scientists from these groups are encouraged to apply.

Funding and award period: The Association anticipates funding 30 awards under this competition. Each total award is limited to $100,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to two years. Requests in any given year may not exceed $60,000 (direct and indirect costs). Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent (rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution).

Eligibility: Eligibility to apply for this grant competition is restricted to investigators who have less than 10 years of research experience after receipt of their terminal degree. The 10-year period applies to the date of submission of the grant application. Adjustments for career interruptions can be made.  These would include, but are not limited to, family leave, military service, and major illness or injury. It is the responsibility of the applicant to point out and document such interruptions.

In general, postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply for any Alzheimer’s Association grant except for applications to the NIRG, NIRGD and MNIRGD. Applications will be accepted from postdocs who can provide a letter indicating they will have a full-time faculty position, such as an assistant professorship, by the application deadline. A letter of employment must accompany the LOI, must be printed on the hiring institution’s letterhead and must indicate that the position will be activated by the grant award date. If the anticipated position is not activated by the award date for any reason, any offer of funding will be withdrawn.

Deadlines and award dates:  Letters of intent must be received by 5:00 p.m. EASTERN STANDARD TIME, December 1, 2008.  Letters of intent will not be accepted after this date. No exceptions will be made.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. EASTERN STANDARD TIME, January 8, 2009. Scientific and technical review will be conducted from February through May 2009. The second-level review by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council will be conducted during June 2009. Funding will be awarded by July 2009.

Mechanism of award, reporting requirements and allowable costs: The mechanism of the award is the individual research grant. The maximum allowable duration is two years. Annual progress and financial reports are required. Continuation of the grant over the awarded duration is contingent upon the timely receipt of scientific and financial reports.

Budget:  A “budget summary” for the proposed research project is required and must be submitted with the application and within the allowable page limits. However, if the application is to be awarded, a more detailed budget will be required and must be approved before the disbursement of funds. Your budget must not exceed the maximum amount of the award ($100,000 for NIRG).

Allowable costs under this award:

• It is required that most of the funds awarded under this program be used for direct research support.

Other allowable costs include:

• Purchase and care of laboratory animals
• Small pieces of laboratory equipment and laboratory supplies
• Computer software if used strictly for data collection
• Salary for the principal investigator, scientific (including postdoctoral fellows) and technical staff (including laboratory technicians and modest secretarial support)
• Support for travel to scientific and professional meetings not to exceed $1,000 per year

Costs not allowed under this award include:

• Computer hardware or standard software (e.g. Microsoft Office)
• Construction or renovation costs
• Tuition
• Rent for laboratory/office space

For more information: E-mail grantsapp@alz.org or call 1.312.335.5747