Program overview

In its second offering, the Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia - Understanding Mechanisms of Dysfunction (VCID-UMD) grant program aims to fund concerted and collaborative efforts that will explore critical questions to advance our understanding of VCID and its contributions to AD/ ADRD pathogenesis by targeting scientific questions on how VCID may intersect with immune, lipid and endolysosomal related functions to contribute to disease. Projects responsive to this call include, but are not limited to:

• Exploring how vascular dysfunctions alter brain metabolism, and how defects in mechanisms such as alterations in the blood brain barrier (BBB), neurovascular coupling, cerebral blood flow or waste clearance contribute to amyloid aggregation and neuronal loss; and how diverse cell types residing in the vasculature including but not limited to endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, perivascular fibroblasts and/or perivascular immune cells contribute to these mechanisms.
• Investigating vascular-immune crosstalk including but not limited to understanding the roles of parenchymal versus peripheral immune signaling or the innate versus adaptive immune system, and how defects on the vasculature contribute to the disruption of brain immune homeostasis. This could also consider questions related to cell type and stage throughout the brain and periphery.
• Understanding how the lymphatic and glymphatic system contributes to vascular-related abnormalities and ultimately AD/ADRD pathogenesis.
• Investigating the intersection between VCID, immune, lipid and endolysosomal function to contribute to AD/ADRD pathogenesis.
• Defining the role of APOE contribution to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and ARIA that could contribute to AD/ ADRD pathogenesis.
• Understanding how vascular pathophysiology contributes and intersects with multiple disease-specific pathologies, including but not limited to Lewy Bodies, TDP-43 and others.
• Leverage existing data sets that may support advances in our understanding of above questions.
• Developing novel biomarkers related to measuring changes in VCID, with a goal of understanding biological implications at early- phases of AD/ ADRD.
• Developing key tools and/or resources, such as imaging, that will benefit a broader range of scientific questions and/or studies related to neurovascular health.Tools and resources developed through this funding must be made broadly available to the scientific field.

Eligibility

• Applicants must hold a full-time position at the level of Assistant Professor (similar to Lecturer or other equivalent) or above at the time of LOI submission at an academic institution, or Veterans Administration hospital in the U.S.
• Only one primary PI per application. Multiple PI projects are not allowed. However, collaborators may be included as key personnel on the project.
• Full eligibility criteria are detailed in the RFA.

Key dates and deadlines

• Letter of intent due: June 15, 2026 — 5 p.m. ET
• Full application due: Sept. 14, 2026 — 5 p.m. ET
• Award notifications: By Nov. 30, 2026

Funding overview

Each VCID-UMD 2026 award is limited to a total of $300,000, with a funding range of $150,000 - $300,000 depending on the project scope. No indirect costs will be allowed. The maximum project duration is 3 years.

Note to Canadian applicants: The Alzheimer's Association and Brain Canada Foundation are pleased to consider partnership for successful Canadian-led applications.

Application process

• Letters of intent are required. 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 Conditions of Award 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.