About the Alzheimer's Association Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute

Through networking, mentorship and didactic sessions, participants will discover new ways in which their existing research interests and knowledge intersect with, and can contribute in novel ways to, breakthroughs in the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) field. The Alzheimer's Association Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute (AA-ISRI) focuses on key subfields of psychosocial research and public health research as they relate to the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and systems of care for persons with dementia.

Selected participants will:

• Gain knowledge on basic clinical and biological aspects of ADRD.
• Advance basic skills in conducting research on ADRD.
• Hear about cutting edge and emerging research designs and analytical methods.
• Broaden connections and networks within the field of dementia research.
• Develop one-on-one mentoring relationships with an experienced faculty.
• Hone essential independent researcher skills to increase career success.
• Concentrate on psychosocial and public health research through parallel track sessions.
• Begin developing a research proposal that could be submitted for funding to the Alzheimer's Association and/or the NIH.

The AA-ISRI schedule offers a mix of didactic sessions; workshops to develop research, writing and career-development skills; mentoring and small group time, including meals and breaks for networking. Morning sessions include all participants, with breakouts into separate public health and psychosocial tracks in the afternoon to allow for more in-depth exploration, summarizing current research and discussing gaps.

The program includes support and consultation for the development of participants' research interests and advice on preparing and submitting research grant applications to the Alzheimer’s Association and NIH. Throughout the week, participants will work on their own research proposal, discussing it with peers and mentors, with the goal of a refined set of aims by the end of the week. Alzheimer's Association scientists and experts will also be available for networking and high level interactions with participants about their research ideas and career plans.

The AA-ISRI is held yearly in the summer. The program is presented over five days at the Alzheimer's Association home office in Chicago, IL.

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