Dementia Research Leader Fellowship

Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Research Leader Fellowship is for exceptional researchers who want to build on several successful years of research and are ready to begin an independent research career..

This scheme is designed for experienced dementia research leaders who have the ambition and skill to conduct excellent quality and innovative research, build a positive research culture and drive change for people affected by dementia.

This Fellowship is open to people from diverse disciplines and career paths including those returning from a career break or time in other roles and those wishing to transition into dementia research from other fields. Alzheimer’s Society funds excellent researchers whatever their background.

We partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer our funded researchers free registration and travel support for the world renowned Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). This special partnership is a valuable benefit of our DRL Fellowships.

Download the Guidance

Award

Funding is available for up to five years full-time, but researchers and their teams can work flexibly to meet personal circumstances.

Available funding:

• Reasonable salary for the fellow
• £25,000 per annum for research costs
• £1,000 per annum towards career development and training
• Research support staff salary
• Optional PhD studentship fees, and stipend to fund one student

All costs must be justified.  See our Applicant Guidance (linked above) for more details.

Eligibility

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and the host institution must be in the UK.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• A track record of delivering high-quality and impactful research
• The potential to be an independent researcher able to lead, train and support others
• Knowledge of research outside of their immediate area of interest, as well as an aptitude for identifying and engaging in new and multi-disciplinary research
• Evidence of involvement from and engagement with people affected by dementia or other relevant stakeholders
• A willingness to be an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society and for dementia research

Of equal importance, the applicants will be assessed on the richness of the training in the host environment and the quality and relevance of the project to the Society’s research mission.

We expect these awards to be partnerships, with host institutions committed to supporting the long-term goals of the fellow through:

• The guarantee of facilities, space and resources needed to carry out the proposed work
• Support for continued development of research capabilities and leadership skills in line with the candidates’ career development plan
• Commitment to covering publishing costs
• Offer of a permanent position during or on completion of the fellowship or a formal review process to discuss the fellow’s future at the organisation at least one year before the end of the award

Remit

Alzheimer’s Society funds cutting-edge research into dementia. Applications are accepted for research projects addressing key unanswered questions within the dementia field.

Applicants should consider how their project can contribute to Alzheimer’s Society’s strategy and research mission.

Applicants must explain how their project contributes to the dementia field within these themes as alignment to our mission is incorporated into our scoring system at review.