The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), part of the Defense Health Agency, has opened applications for the FY26 Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) Transforming Research Award (TrRA). The award supports non-incremental, well-designed research that drives meaningful advances in reducing the risk and preventing the development of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD).
Around $4.0M is expected to be allotted across approximately four awards. Total costs are capped at $1.0M per award for the single PI option, or $1.0M combined under the Career Initiation or Transition (CIT) Partnership Option. The maximum period of performance is three years.
Focus areas
Applications must address at least one of the following:
- Risk Factor Knowledge: Research that advances understanding, identification and/or validation of risk and/or protective factors, with outcomes focused on accelerating solutions. This may include environmental, epigenetic, genetic, lifestyle, occupational or other risks.
- Risk Reduction Solutions: Research describing non-pharmacological methods, technologies and strategies that contribute to reducing risk and preventing AD/ADRD.
Risk reduction work considering traumatic brain injury (TBI), similar brain health exposures and/or military service is of particular interest. The programme also encourages applications that address health disparities in AD and ADRD research.
What’s allowed and what isn’t
Clinical research is permitted, but clinical trials and animal research are prohibited. Projects focused primarily on basic or mechanistic research, disease-modifying treatments or pharmacological therapeutic development do not meet the intent of this mechanism. Preliminary data are required, and Community collaboration is required for research prospectively enrolling human subjects. The AZRP encourages use of existing cohorts or datasets, including those involving people aged 65 or younger, although there is no requirement for any specific study population.
Who can apply
Extramural and intramural U.S. Department of War (DOW) organisations are eligible, including foreign and domestic, for-profit and nonprofit, and public or private entities. Independent investigators affiliated with an eligible organisation may be named as PI, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or citizenship status. Postdoctoral and clinical fellows are not considered independent investigators. The same investigator may not be named on more than four TrRA applications.
The CIT Partnership Option allows two PIs to apply together, supporting both new and existing collaborations. At least one PI must meet the Career Initiation criteria (three to seven years of independent research experience with limited prior support) or Career Transition criteria (any level, but new to military health, TBI or AD/ADRD).
Key dates
- Pre-application deadline: 5:00 p.m. ET, 22 June 2026
- Invitation to submit a full application: 10 August 2026
- Full application deadline: 11:59 p.m. ET, 24 September 2026
- Peer review: December 2026
- Programmatic review: February 2027
How to apply
Applications are submitted in two steps. Pre-applications go through eBRAP. Invited extramural full applications are submitted via Grants.gov; intramural DOW organisations submit through eBRAP. Active SAM.gov, eBRAP and Grants.gov registrations are needed before applying.
Funding Opportunity Number: HT942526AZRPTrRA. Full details are available on the CDMRP website.
Visit funding web page
(https://cdmrp.health.mil/funding/azrp)
