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New Investigator Research Grant to Promote Diversity
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Competition objectives

The New Investigator Research Grant to Promote Diversity (NIRGD) in Alzheimer’s research is a two-year award to investigators who are currently underrepresented at academic institutions in Alzheimer’s or related dementias research.

The objective of this award is to increase the number of highly trained investigators from diverse backgrounds whose basic, clinical and social/behavioral research interests are grounded in the advanced methods and experimental approaches needed to solve problems related to Alzheimer’s and related dementias in general and in health disparities populations. The Alzheimer’s Association recognizes the need to increase the number of underrepresented scientists participating in biomedical and behavioral research. The Association anticipates that by providing these research opportunities, the number of underrepresented scientists entering and remaining in biomedical research careers in Alzheimer’s disease will increase. 

The purpose of this program is to provide underrepresented new 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 that will lay the groundwork for future research grant applications to the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and other funding agencies and groups, including future proposals to the Alzheimer's Association. All applications submitted to the New Investigator Research Grant to Promote Diversity program must target defined areas of focus outlined in the 2009 Program Announcement (see pages 3‒12).

General requirements for NIRGD

Funding and award period: The Association anticipates funding up to five NIRGD/ MNIRGD awards total under this competition. Each NIRGD award is limited to $100,000 (direct and indirect costs) for up to two years. Requests in any given year may not exceed $60,000 (direct and indirect costs).  Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent (rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution).

Eligibility: Eligibility to apply for this grant competition is restricted to investigators who have less than 10 years of research experience after receipt of their terminal degree. For the purpose of this announcement, eligible applicants are faculty members who have been determined by the grantee institution to be underrepresented on faculty in biomedical and behavioral research on a national or institutional basis, such as individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and individuals with disabilities. Nationally underrepresented groups in biomedical research careers include but are not limited to African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

The 10-year period applies to the date of submission of the grant application. Adjustments for career interruptions can be made. These would include, but are not limited to, family leave, military service and major illness or injury. It is the responsibility of the applicant to point out and document such interruptions. In general, postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply for an NIRGD grant. The only exception is the special case in which an applicant can provide a letter indicating they will have a full-time faculty position, such as an assistant professorship, by the application deadline. The letter of employment must be on hiring institution letterhead and must indicate that the position will be activated by the grant award date. If the anticipated position is not activated by the award date for any reason, any offer of funding will be withdrawn.

Deadlines and award dates: Letters of intent must be received by 5:00 p.m. EASTERN STANDARD TIME, December 1, 2008. Letters of intent will not be accepted after this date. No exceptions will be made.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. EASTERN STANDARD TIME, January 8, 2009. Scientific and technical review will be conducted from February through May 2009.

The second-level review by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council will be conducted during June 2009. Funding will be awarded by July 2009.

Mechanism of award, reporting requirements and allowable costs: The mechanism of the award is the individual research grant. The maximum allowable duration is two years. Annual progress and financial reports are required. Continuation of the grant over the awarded duration is contingent upon the timely receipt of scientific and financial reports. 

Allowable costs under this award:

  • It is required that most of the funds awarded under this program be used for direct research support.   

Allowable costs under this award include:

  • Purchase and care of laboratory animal
  • Small pieces of laboratory equipment and laboratory supplies
  • Computer equipment if used strictly for data collection
  • Travel (up to $1,000 per year)
  • Salary for the principal investigator, scientific (including post-doctoral fellows) and technical staff (including laboratory technicians and administrative support related directly to the funded project) 

Costs not allowed under this award include:

  • Tuition 
  • Computer hardware or software for investigators
  • Rent for laboratory/office space
  • Construction or renovation costs

Budget:  A “budget summary” for the proposed research project is required and must be submitted with the application and within the allowable page limits. However, if the application is to be awarded, a more detailed budget will be required and must be approved prior to the disbursement of funds. Your budget must not exceed the maximum amount of the award ($100,000 for NIRGD).