Grants for Alzheimer's Disease Drug Discovery (R21)

In 1999, at the direction of Congress, the National Institute on Aging (NIA), in conjunction with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) embarked on the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Prevention Initiative. An important part of the AD Prevention Initiative is to quicken the pace for translating basic science findings into clinical trials to evaluate treatment and prevention strategies. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) focuses on AD drug discovery while companion FOAs are targeted to AD drug development and AD pilot clinical trials. In this FOA, participating institutes invite qualified researchers to submit research grant applications directed toward the discovery, development, and preclinical testing in cellular, tissue, and animal models of novel compounds for the prevention and treatment of the cognitive impairment and behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Applications submitted to the NIH will be assigned and reviewed according to the usual NIH peer review procedures. Meritorious applications will be funded by the assigned NIH Institutes or co-funded by the assigned NIH Institute and the Institute for the Study of Aging (ISOA). NIA has set-aside $3.0 Million total costs in FY 2006 for applications sent in response to this PA. -This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) award mechanism. -The R21 is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. -All investigator-initiated exploratory/developmental grant applications described in this announcement will be assigned to participating ICs according to standard PHS referral guidelines and specific program interests. -Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. -Project Period and Award Levels: The applicant may request a project period of up to two years with a combined budget for direct costs of up to $275,000 for the two-year period. -Eligible organizations: For-profit organizations; Non-profit organizations; Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; Eligible agencies of the Federal government; Units of State government; Units of local government; Domestic Institutions; and Foreign Institutions. -Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs): Any individual with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research, is invited to work with his/her institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. -An R21 is not renewable. -Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct.