The Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant for All (AARGA) program aims to fund early-career investigators who have been in the position of Assistant Professor or the equivalent for no more than seven (7) years. The purpose of this program is to provide newly independent investigators with funding that will allow them to develop preliminary or pilot data, to test procedures and to develop hypotheses. The intent is to support early-career development of newly independent researchers/clinicians that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to federal or other funding entities.
Applications are welcome from all areas of Alzheimer’s and related dementia research, including but not limited to basic science, translational studies, clinical research, and psychosocial investigations. Projects may span topics such as disease mechanisms, biomarker development, therapeutic targets, epidemiology, neuroimaging, care interventions, or health equity research. The Alzheimer’s Association feels strongly that the mentoring and involvement of researchers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives is essential to engaging cutting-edge ideas and thinking in addressing scientific gaps for Alzheimer’s and all dementias.
Eligibility
- This grant is open to U.S. and international researchers.
- Applicants are eligible for the AARGA program if they possess a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent),hold a full-time, Assistant Professor (or equivalent, including Research Assistant Professor) position at a not-for-profit academic, medical, or research institution.
- Applicants may not have held any Assistant Professor (or equivalent) titles for no more than seven years at the time of LOI submission. Note that any time spent in this role, such as a Research Assistant Professor, counts towards the seven year limit.
- Only one primary principal investigator is allowed per proposal. Multiple Principal Investigators (PIs) are not permitted, though collaborators and key personnel may be included.
- Non-profit public or private research laboratories, medical centers, hospitals and universities are eligible to apply. For-profit organizations are not eligible.
- Applicants are permitted a single application to either this program or the Alzheimer’s Association Research Grants for All (AARGA) or the Alzheimer’s Association Clinical Scientist Fellowship for All (AACSFA) in a given cycle.
Key dates
- Letter of Intent due: Aug. 14, 2026 – 5 p.m. ET
- Full application due: Oct. 14, 2026 – 5 p.m. ET
- Award notifications: By Jan. 30, 2027
Funding overviews
- The total award cost cannot exceed $200,000 total.
- Two years is the minimum award duration. The budget requested in any given year may not exceed $70,000 (direct and indirect costs).
- Three years is the maximum project duration.
- Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as any subcontracts.
- Once selected for funding, awards will begin within three months of the award notification..
Application process
- Letters of intent are required. More information can be found in the RFA and on ProposalCentral.
- By submitting a Letter of Intent or application to this program, the applicant organization acknowledges that it has reviewed the program’s terms and conditions of award and agrees to accept them as written. The conditions of award are non-negotiable, and submission constitutes the organization’s confirmation that it is prepared to comply with them in full should an award be made.
- Full applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral.
Application review process
Please see the How to Apply for a Research Grant page 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.
Contact information
Please contact grantsapp@alz.org with any questions.
Visit funding web page
(https://www.alz.org/research/for_researchers/grants/types-of-grants/aarga)
