AA-ISRI | Aug. 3-7, 2026 | Chicago, IL

Applications for the 2026 AA-ISRI are open through March 9, 2026, at 11:59pm Central Time (North America).

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Who should apply

Applications will be reviewed from early-stage investigators, defined as those who completed their terminal research degree (Ph.D., Dr.PH., M.D. or other doctoral-level degree) or completed their post-graduate clinical training before this program starts in August and within the past 10 years. Applicants should not have previously competed successfully as a principal investigator for a substantial independent research award. The doctoral degree may be in social, medical, behavioral sciences or public health. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals or lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and women are always encouraged to apply.

Please note: Study projects involving imaging and biomarkers fall outside the scope of the Summer Institute.

Training tracks

Applicants must specify one of the two offered training tracks, either population health or care interventions (previously called the public health track and psychosocial track). Please select your track based on the descriptions below.

Population Health Track

Population health is focused on protecting and improving the health of entire communities through data-driven, systems-level approaches.

Applicants for this track should be interested in pursuing research projects applicable at a population level. Projects, which will often involve secondary data analysis or the use of secondary data, may include disease prevalence (epidemiology), systems change (public health policy and health systems reform), cost of care (economics) and social determinants of health related to dementia. Research on interventions with respect to risk reduction (primary prevention), early detection (secondary prevention) and disease management (tertiary prevention) should focus on population-level — not individual-level — interventions.

At the Summer Institute, successful applicants in the population health track will:

  • Gain a greater understanding of the population-level dimensions of dementia and its broader impact on communities. Sessions will focus on the economics of Alzheimer’s, data sources for health care research, and community-level health.
  • Learn about population-level approaches to addressing dementia. This will include sessions that identify the population-level and policy levers for intervention, discuss improving the health and well-being of individuals with dementia, and explore non-health community systems to enable aging in place.

Care Interventions Track

Care interventions research focuses on how psychological, social and environmental factors shape physical, cognitive, functional and emotional well-being. This includes the influence of socioeconomic status, cultural and ethnic diversity, and health behaviors. In Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), the field explores how dementia impacts individuals and caregivers across different stages of the disease, aiming to reduce risk, promote resilience, and improve outcomes through targeted interventions.

Applicants for this track should be interested in pursuing research projects focused on intervention research, typically using primary data. These projects should be applicable at an individual level (e.g., persons living with dementia), dyadic level (e.g., persons living with dementia and their caregivers) or group/systems level (e.g., long-term care) to affect risk, resilience and outcomes.

At the Summer Institute, successful applicants in the care interventions track will:

  • Gain exposure to a wide range of potential intervention research populations, designs and methods in dementia. This will include social and behavioral interventions and interventions targeting the environment and technology.
  • Enhance skills in methods for ADRD research. This will include identifying and developing measures, utilizing mixed methods, cluster-randomized trials, and how to initiate and follow through with community-engaged research.

How to submit

Our application is hosted through Proposal Central. If you do not have a Proposal Central account, please create one by visiting the application page and clicking “Create an Account Now.” Reach out to summerinstitute@alz.org with any questions. 

Applicants must specify one of the two offered training tracks (population health or care interventions). The application requirements include:

  • General demographic information.
  • Statement of 150 words or less describing the applicant’s objectives for attending the institute and how the institute would help them in their career/research.
  • Letters of recommendation from two individuals familiar with the applicant's professional interests and scholastic achievements. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure letters of recommendation are received.
  • One-page research proposal abstract, including specific aims. Please note that this should be the research you plan to discuss/work on during the institute.
  • An NIH biographical sketch (General).

Applicant evaluation criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an AA-ISRI Selection Committee, comprised of AA-ISRI faculty and convened yearly only for the purpose of applicant selection. Participants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Previous experience and training.
  • Affiliation with a research university or laboratory.
  • Letters of recommendation.
  • Alignment of stated objectives with the goals of the AA-ISRI.
  • Demonstrated interest in long-term career interest in ADRD.
  • A brief statement of objectives for attending the AA-ISRI.
  • Significance and quality of the research proposal abstract.

Twenty-four AA-ISRI awardees (12 per track) are chosen each year. Expenses for airfare, accommodations, most meals, local transportation and any course materials will be covered.

Application resources

These NIH resources below can help applicants develop successful applications:

You can also reference the Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program.