Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Development Grant: Request for Proposals

Hayley Bohall

September 28, 2023

adrc

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:
Optional Pre-proposal Deadline: October 13, 2023 (Friday)
Full Application Deadline: November 6, 2023 (Monday)
Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2024

PURPOSE: The Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) invites applications for Developmental grant proposals to support basic or clinical biomedical, translational, epidemiological, caregiving, educational, or behavioral studies in AD, ADRD or brain aging research. Developmental projects are intended to help establish the basis for applying for further research funding and further development of the applicant’s career in these areas of research.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Developmental projects are intended for junior faculty level investigators and, less commonly, for more senior investigator from other fields, who are interested in AD or ADRD research and who will have the highest chance of subsequent competitive grant funding.

All applications are expected to provide a provisional plan and timeline for the submission of a subsequent competitive grant application to NIA or another respected funding source. We encourage applications by researchers from underrepresented groups.

We also encourage, but do not require, researchers to capitalize on ADRC resources (e.g., those related to its Administrative, Clinical, Neuropathology, Biomarker, Outreach Recruitment and Engagement [ORE] or Data Management and Statistics [DMSC] Cores), and we strongly recommend consultation with Yi Su, PhD, who oversees our Statistics Program.

The Program will consider proposals from researchers outside of Arizona if they meet our eligibility criteria, interact with members of our Consortium, their proposal is demonstrably stronger than those submitted by applicants within the Consortium, and they plan to interact with members of the Consortium as their work progresses.

MECHANISMS OF SUPPORT: We plan to recommend one NIA-sponsored 24-month Developmental Project grant ($60,000/year direct costs [up to $120,000 over the 24-month period] plus indirect costs).

Additionally, we plan to support one State funded 12–24-month Development Project ($60,000/year direct costs [no indirect costs]) dependent on availability of funding from the state of Arizona.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: The funding mechanism is intended to allow an investigator the opportunity to develop preliminary data sufficient to provide the basis for an application for independent research support.

Examples of possible Developmental projects are:

A study based on data in the NACC data set to determine the feasibility of conducting larger studies in the future.
A study proposed by a new investigator, with an interest in research in AD, before the study has developed to the point of being suitable to apply for individual grant support.
Functional, mechanistic, or pre-clinical activities designed to move a basic discovery towards a translational endpoint in the near future.

A separate RFP for one year Pilot projects ($30,000 direct costs) funded by the state of Arizona will be distributed in November 2023.

Examples of unacceptable Developmental projects are:

Clinical trials. Investigators interested in clinical trials should consider applying through the NIA Alzheimer’s Disease Pilot Clinical Trials FOA.

Information obtained should allow subsequent submission of competitive grant support through the National Institutes of Health, or other extramural funding agencies. Proposals that utilize data available through the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (Minimum Data Set, Uniform Data Set, Neuropathology Data Set, etc. - see https://www.alz.washington.edu/WEB/data_descript.html); that are related to the disciplines of the ADRC Cores/Components (Clinical, Data Management and Statistics, Biomarker, Outreach and Recruitment, Neuropathology - see http://azalz.org/about-us/all-cores/); or that promote the study of Hispanic or Native Americans are encouraged, but not required. All proposals must include a preliminary plan and timeline for submission of a competitive grant application.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Optional Pre-proposal: If applicants desire feedback on their proposed application, a letter of intent (not to exceed one page) may be sent by October 13, 2023 to Carol Barnes, PhD. (carol@nsma.arizona.edu) via email attachment with a cc to Peggy Nolty (panolty@arizona.edu) and Winnie Liang, PhD (wliang@azalz.org).

The letter of intent should include a descriptive title, brief abstract with specific aims, and a list of study team members. While pre-proposals are not required, it would permit applicants an opportunity to receive initial feedback and suggestions that might help strengthen the full proposal. Pre-proposals will receive rapid feedback with constructive recommendations within ~2 weeks.

Full Application: PHS research grant application fillable forms must be used in applying for these funds (available at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html) All components of the proposal, including appendices, should be sent in a single PDF by November 6, 2023 to Carol Barnes, PhD (carol@nsma.arizona.edu) via email attachment with a cc to Peggy Nolty (panolty@arizona.edu) and Winnie Liang, PhD (wliang@azalz.org). Please make sure that you receive an email confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive an email, please contact Winnie Liang.

Applications must include:

A cover letter with the names and contact information for 3-4 potential qualified reviewers
Face page (form page 1)
Summary, Relevance, Project/Performance Sites, Senior/Key Personnel, etc. (form page 2)
Detailed Budget for Initial Budget Period (form page 4) - Budget limited to $60,000/yr direct costs (plus applicable indirect costs)
Budget for Entire Proposed Project Period (form page 5)
Budget Justification
Biographical Sketch(es) for Key Personnel: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
Resources (Facilities and Other Resources, Equipment)
Research Plan - limited to 5 pages and should include:
1. Specific Aims
2. Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation, Approach)
3. Timeline and Plan for Submission of Competitive Grant Application
Bibliography and References Cited
Protection of Human Subjects (if applicable)
PHS Inclusion Enrollment Report - Planned Enrollment (if applicable) https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/PHS_Inclusion_Enrollment_Report-V1.0.pdf
Vertebrate Animals (if applicable)
Checklist Form Page (including your institutional indirect cost calculation)

Appendices are limited to three publications, manuscripts, abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to the proposal.

Applicants may also wish to identify a mentor, collaborator, or consultant to advise or assist them on the project. Potential mentors, collaborators, consultants should be listed in the grant cover letter.

Applicants who would like suggestions for appropriate matches should speak to Dr. Eric Reiman (Director, Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium), or Dr. Carol Barnes (Director, Ad Hoc Review Program). Contact information is listed below.

APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA: Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by two relevant outside experts. Applications will be rated based on 1) significance, 2) quality, innovation, and feasibility, 3) use of NACC, NCRAD and/or Core facilities, 4) potential of applicant to develop a successful research program in the field, 5) likelihood of leading to a successful grant application, and 6) sound experimental design and statistical approach. If the grant was reviewed previously, the applicant may include a summary of the substantive changes made to the proposal in their cover letter.

Notification of the Developmental award recommended for NIA funding, as well as any proposal identified for potential State funding, will be sent in February 2024. Other meritorious applications will be invited to revise and submit proposals to the one year State funded Pilot grant program. The anticipated funding start date of successful applications is July 1, 2024.

INQUIRIES: Inquiries are encouraged. Inquiries regarding ADRC core resources or expertise related to the applicant’s field of interest can be directed to:
Eric M. Reiman, MD, Director, Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium Email: eric.reiman@bannerhealth.com

Inquiries regarding application and review procedures can be directed to: Carol Barnes, PhD, Director, Ad Hoc Review Program
Email: carol@nsma.arizona.edu

Inquiries regarding statistical approach can be directed to:
Yi Su, PhD, Data Management & Statistics Core Director Email: Yi.Su@bannerhealth.com