Program objective

The World Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network launched in 2017 as the first global network of multidomain lifestyle intervention trials for dementia risk reduction and ultimately prevention. Studies that participate in the WW-FINGERS network aim to apply, test and optimize the FINGER-like model to reduce risk across the spectrum of cognitive decline in different geographical, cultural and economic settings in individuals at greater risk as they age. In order to succeed in providing broad accessibility to and representation of the global community, there is a significant need for seed funding and opportunities to advance a WWFINGERS network study. The WW-FINGERS network is a collaboration led by the FINGER Brain Health Institute and the Alzheimer’s Association. To support the expansion and opportunity for advancing this research, the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a pilot funding program for multimodal behavioral intervention studies that incorporate at least 3 domains. The Alzheimer’s Association WW-FINGERS network funding program (ALZ WW-FNFP) will provide initial / startup funding and/or opportunities for ongoing studies to initiate studies that expand multimodal interventions and/or add/leverage unique opportunities that enhance the study. This will be a competitive funding program and all submissions will be reviewed.

Program overview

The WW-FINGERS Network includes over 40 countries to date with varying access to the infrastructure and funds needed to run a trial that evaluates a multi-domain intervention. The ALZ WW-FNFP is open to international multi-domain lifestyle intervention proposals that are in need of financial support (up to USD$500,000 total for up to 3 years). The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the needs of each study may be varied and the costs to conduct the study may also be varied; we anticipate most requests to be in the USD$200,000-$400,000/ year range. The support needed for each study will differ by the infrastructure and resources at each site, and is open to requests that range from start-up costs for infrastructure development, for pilot studies, for supplemental support for ongoing and/or newly established studies or for work that aims to add-on new measures or assessments (i.e. biomarkers) measures.

Funding and award period

The Alzheimer’s Association has invested over USD $12,000,000 to fund multidomain lifestyle intervention trials internationally and the ALZ WW-FNFP will continue to grow this commitment.

As the scope and duration of funding will differ with each individual site, it is anticipated that funding will range from USD$200,000 up to a maximum grant amount of USD$500,000. Project duration is up to 3 years. Each study is limited to one unique award through this program’s first iteration; with potential for follow-on funding.

Awarded projects will be evaluated on progress toward specific milestones; continued disbursement of funds is dependent on demonstrated progress toward key milestones.

Although broadly speaking each study site will have unique needs and considerations, there are some common core aspects that should be incorporated into the study budget. This includes the salaries of key personnel that will assist in moving the overall initiative forward; the costs associated with administrative set up, necessary supplies and the initiation of ethical approvals.

Allowable costs under this award include:

• Small pieces of laboratory equipment and laboratory supplies (purchases over $10,000 require prior approval, even if included in the project proposal budget).
• Computer software if used strictly for data collection and/or analysis.
• Salary for the principal investigator, scientific (including postdoctoral fellows) and technical staff (including modest administrative support).
• Research supplies needed for the proposed studies.
• Support for travel to scientific and professional meetings, not to exceed $2,500 in any given year.
• Open access publications fees are appropriate and reasonable for the project budget.

Not allowable as direct costs under this award include:

• Computer hardware or standard software (e.g. Microsoft Office, mouse monitor, computer parts).
• Laboratory equipment such as freezers, ultracentrifuges, RT-PCR, Microscopy/imaging equipment.
• Service contract fees of equipment.
• Construction or renovation costs.
• Tuition.
• Rent for laboratory/office space.
• Expenses such as Data Network Recharges and Computing and communication device support services.
• General liability insurances, such as GAEL.
• Wire and currency exchange fees.
• Salary and/or compensation for Alzheimer’s Association Staff or current members of the Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Group (MSAG) and the International Research Grant Program (IRGP) Council. A complete list of MSAG and IRGP Council members can be found on our website alz.org/grants.
• Institutional overheads associated with staff time.
• We reserve the right to decline any charge that is an institutional feed and/or service charge.

Eligibility

The ALZ WW-FNFP is open to international (non-U.S.) researchers conducting multi-domain lifestyle intervention studies. Interested applicants should contact Emily Meyers at easmeyers@alz.org to arrange initial discussions with the Alzheimer’s Association team. For a study to be eligible, it must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Trial is active (in recruiting participants, implementing intervention and/or ongoing follow up); Data collection is harmonized with the WW-FINGERS Network; The trial is funded; OR
• Research teams are actively working to advance trial planning, protocol development or explore proof of concept within the local setting; trial is funded.
• Studies that are actively working to advance a WW-FINGERS trial within their country/population; trial is not funded.

Submission process

Pre-submission inquiries will be accepted at any time. Please use the template provided and include the following:

• Describe the status of the project and what is being requested
• Overview of the geographical location of the study (cultural, economic, sites, etc.), expertise of the study team, information on the population to be engaged and community that will be involved, and a high level description of the proposed intervention.
• Describe future plans or long-term goals of the initiative (i.e. are there opportunities for federal funding, for partnership, other ways for sustainability, etc).
• Level of study as defined by the above criteria and Kivipelto et al (2020) Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Please send the pre-submission inquiry to grantsapp@alz.org.

Pre-submission inquiries will be welcome at any time; following pre-submission inquiries, applications will be invited for those that meet the program objectives. Proposed deadlines will be discussed with teams invited to submit full applications.

Overview of submission process

Summary:
Pre-submission inquiries are welcome at any time and will be reviewed by the Alzheimer’s Association with appropriate experts to evaluate the eligibility, feasibility, and potential impact of a proposal. Successful pre-submission inquiries will be invited to submit a full application, with deadlines discussed with applicant PI. Full applications will be reviewed by an expert group and panel for consideration to make recommendations to the Alzheimer's Association

If a submission is not accepted, the application is allowed one resubmission.

Pre-Submission Inquiries:
Pre-submission inquiries are welcome at any time via the Pre-Submission Inquiry Form, which collects information on:

• The applicant team (PI, team, expertise)
• The proposed study (name; country; status of study; brief descriptions of the work plan, overview of population)
• Overview of budget
• Other relevant information.

Full application

For those invited to submit a full application, additional materials will be required. Templates, instructions and application deadlines will be provided following approval of the pre-submission inquiry.

Review criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the Alzheimer’s Association and a select panel of experts with special attention to:

• Significance and rationale of the population/question being studied
  • Is this population/question unique to ongoing WW-FINGERS studies?
  • Does the proposed study harmonize data with other WW-FINGER studies?
• Quality of the proposed trial. Examples of questions and issues, which the reviewer might consider include, but are not limited to:
  • How well does the proposed study align to the WW-FINGERS studies?
  • Is the overall plan of work appropriately paced in relationship to the requested budget and stated duration of the project?
  • Is the design of the study well considered?
  • Are the plans for data analysis appropriate?
  • Has the applicant demonstrated awareness of the limitations of the methods of data acquisition and analysis?
• Quality and adequacy of available resources and budget. Examples of questions and issues, which the reviewer might consider include, but are not limited to:
  • Will the available institutional resources and facilities support the completion of the project?
  • Is there a supportive research milieu of experienced investigators and technical expertise? Does the applicant have the necessary equipment, instruments, populations, animals, samples, reagents, assays, analytical methods or other technical supports available for the conduct of this project?
  • What additional resources are required to complete this project satisfactorily?
  • Does the applicant present a reasonable strategy to acquire the necessary resources?
  • Is the budget well justified and are the requested funds appropriate?
• Study team expertise
  • Does the applicant and if appropriate his/her co-workers have the required experience and scientific or technical training to carry out this research project?
  • Does the applicant have experience, which suggests that he/she can successfully lead a research team? If not, are there adequate backup scientific and management personnel?
  • Is there a milieu of senior investigators and technical expertise that can help foster this research effort?
  • Does this proposed project introduce or recruit any new investigators to this line of research?

Budget

Deadlines and award timeline

• The Pre-Submission Inquiry Survey can be completed at any time.
• Submission of full applications will open: June 30, 2025 (ProposalCentral.com)
• Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Application Review: August – December 2025
• Award Notifications by January 15, 2026

• The application is submitted by the receipt date/time deadline. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from proposalcentral.com that your application was successfully submitted. If you do not receive a confirmation, click the Proposals tab and under the “Status” column, make sure it says Submitted and not In Progress, which indicates you have not yet submitted your application.
• The application is complete and accurate before submission. Only a single copy of an application will be accepted. We do not require signatures at the time of submission. The signature page provided is for use should your institution/organization require signatures; we do not override any institutional policies and/or procedures. Please do not submit the signature page with your application.
• Revisions, additional materials, and/or reference, manuscripts, appendices, etc., are not allowed and, if attached, will be removed from your application.

Multiple and overlapping submissions

Additional information

1. The reviewer trained, trained with or was trained by the Applicant.
2. The reviewer published with the Applicant in the last four (4) years. This excludes workshops or large consortia (e.g., ADNI, IGAP).
3. The reviewer has been a co-investigator on a grant application or award with the Applicant in the last four (4) years.
4. The reviewer has a conceptual difference of opinion with the Applicant that will prevent a fair review.
5. The reviewer will receive financial benefit from the Applicant receiving an award.

• Evidence that a reviewer has an undeclared conflict of interest.
• An egregious error or misunderstanding in the review process.
• Active malfeasance or demonstrable lack of due diligence.