Resources for Researchers: Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias

Researchers play a crucial role in addressing the many challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These investigators are making significant advances toward a better understanding of what causes these diseases, how to prevent or stop them, and treatments and innovative support for people living with them. Learn more below about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research resources from the federal government, including open funding opportunities.
The Role of Researchers in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
When people think of scientific researchers, they may imagine someone bent over a microscope in a laboratory. This can be true, but researchers also pursue discovery in clinics, research hospitals, community settings such as neighborhoods or senior centers, and small businesses across the country.
Alzheimer’s and related dementias are complex diseases that require collaborative, diverse research approaches and expertise. Federal government support has enabled significant scientific growth and discovery to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and care of those living with these conditions. Scientists are identifying and testing new drug candidates, advancing comprehensive models of care, developing new biomarker tests, exploring disease risk and protective factors, and improving the understanding of the role of genetics and other disease mechanisms.

The federal government and others are exploring diverse research areas to improve quality of life for people with dementia and to prevent and treat these diseases.
How the Government Is Supporting a Diverse Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Research Workforce
As the number of cases of Alzheimer’s and related dementias rises, it is critical that a diverse scientific workforce has access to support and training in pursuit of the research skills and tools required to find a prevention or effective treatment for these diseases.
In addition to conducting and supporting scientific research, the federal government offers programs to encourage individuals from many different research backgrounds to enter the field of aging and Alzheimer’s and related dementias research. These programs include funding along the career spectrum, from high school internship programs, to undergraduate and graduate mentorship and training, to supporting career transitions.
The federal government plays an important role in cultivating diversity in the scientific workforce, which is essential for solving complex health challenges like Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and offers many programs to support scientific workforce diversity, including training, mentorship, and career development opportunities specifically targeted to populations underrepresented in biomedical research.
Federal government funding opportunities, career development, and training programs are available to support Alzheimer’s and related dementias researchers.

The federal government is committed to finding ways to treat and prevent dementia and to provide better care for people with dementia and their families.
Find Resources for Researchers
Explore the resources on this website and linked below to find more information from federal government agencies.
Access a list of current NIA FOAs in Alzheimer's and related dementias research in order of expiration date.
Search for NIA-supported clinical research tools, datasets, samples, visualization tools, and more for Alzheimer’s and related dementias research.
Learn about research and development funding opportunities and commercialization support available from NIA for small business research into Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Find information for students, early-career investigators, and clinician-researchers on training opportunities and grant mechanisms from NIA.
Get information on funding opportunities from AHRQ. Look for Requests for Applications related to “Alzheimer’s” or “dementia.”
Find all active grant opportunities from the U.S. government, including opportunities from ACL, CDC, NIH, and AHRQ.
Access information to help you develop a successful application for NIH research funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH.
Learn more about funding for Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia, from NINDS.
Access a searchable database of active funding opportunities from NIH, including application information and program contacts.
Learn about NIH’s commitment to increasing the diversity of the scientific workforce and training and career development opportunities for diverse researchers.
Find information on NIH funding opportunities for small businesses.
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Questions? Contact the ADEAR Center
The Alzheimer’s & related Dementias Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center is a service of the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. Call 800-438-4380 or email adear@nia.nih.gov to talk with an information specialist.
This content is provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.