Program overview

This program is offered in two options: Please review the RFA carefully for all relevant entry criteria and allowed activities for each track.

Lead optimization track

Applicants must demonstrate readiness to execute a milestone-driven lead optimization program (hit-to-lead complete or late hit-to-lead).

IND-enabling track

Applicants must demonstrate readiness to execute IND-enabling studies and activities that support an IND (or international equivalent) submission.

Activities not supported

• Those focused on purely computational methodology or algorithm development without experimental validation of the therapeutic lead (i.e. rationale for the selected target and/or biological relevance of the target).
• Activities unrelated to lead optimization, candidate selection, or IND-enabling readiness.
• Platform development or general AI tool building that is not directly tied to advancing a specific AI-discovered therapeutic program.
• Drug repurposing projects focused on approved or previously clinically tested drugs.
• Clinical trial execution.

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold a full-time position at their organization that is equivalent to the level of Assistant Professor or above. Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply; however, they can be listed on the proposal as key personnel.
• In general, public, private, research laboratories, medical centers, hospitals and universities are eligible to apply.
• For profit organizations are eligible to apply.
• International applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants CANNOT submit more than one proposal to any of the programs in the current grant competition—even if the proposals cover distinctly different topics (i.e. only one application is allowed regardless of the distinct areas of focus).
• Investigators who are delinquent in reporting to the Alzheimer’s Association are not eligible to apply.

Key dates and deadlines

• Letter of intent due: Mar. 26, 2026 – 5 p.m. ET
• Full application due: Apr. 30, 2026 – 5 p.m. ET
• Award notifications: by Jul. 15, 2026

Funding overview

• Each PTC EM-AI award is limited to a total of $1,000,000 (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of two to three years.
• Indirect costs are only allowable for non-profit organizations, and are capped at 10% of total direct costs, inclusive of indirect costs for any subcontracts.
• For-profit organizations are not permitted indirect costs.
• Detailed guidelines on allowed / not allowed costs are included in the Request for Applications (RFA).

Application process

• Letters of intent are required. Each LOI must contain both the AI Centrality Statement and the Minimal Provenance and Auditability Package. More information can be found in the RFA and on ProposalCentral.
• Full applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral.

Application review process

• Please see “how to apply” for more information about the Alzheimer’s Association application review process.

Additional information

• For more information on eligibility, application requirements, review criteria, and more, please see the RFA.
• All applicants/institutions are strongly encouraged to review the Example PTC Award Letter and Conditions (PDF) before submitting an LOI.

U.S. sanctions

Alzheimer’s Association grants are generally open to scientists and researchers across the globe; however, as a U.S.-based charity, the Alzheimer’s Association is subject to, and complies with, U.S. law. As a result, the Alzheimer’s Association cannot award, and will not award, grants in violation of applicable U.S. statutes and regulations. This means, among other things, that the Alzheimer’s Association cannot, and will not, fund any individual or entity (i) that is subject to U.S. comprehensive or targeted sanctions or if awarding funding would result in a violation of such sanctions, (ii) that is on the U.S. List of Specially Designated Nationals or entities owned or controlled by such persons, or (iii) when doing so is otherwise prohibited by U.S. laws related to combating terrorism.

Contact information

Please contact grantsapp@alz.org with any questions.