Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-24-332
Deadline: April 8, 2025
The overall purpose of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program is to help ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. NRSA fellowships support the training of pre-and postdoctoral scientists, dual-degree investigators, and senior researchers. More information about NRSA programs may be found at the NIH Research Training and Career Development website.
Program Objective
The purpose of this NOFO is to promote a diverse translational research workforce for AD/ADRD. This initiative will emphasize the development and application of skills in translational research to various aspects of AD/ADRD research (from population studies and behavioral/social research to research on diagnostics and drug development). This program will enable promising postdoctoral researchers to obtain individualized, mentored research training from experienced faculty sponsors while conducting postdoctoral research. Candidates for this F32 program are expected to propose a research project and training plan in AD/ADRD-relevant translational research. The training plan should document the need for, and the anticipated value of, the proposed mentored research and training in relationship to the individual’s research career goals. The training plan should also facilitate the fellow’s transition to the next stage of their research career.
The program is open to eligible candidates interested in one or more areas of translational research that can leverage NIA’s investment in research on AD and aging to advance cross-disciplinary training in new approaches to AD/ADRD treatment, prevention, disease management, and care. Research areas appropriate to this NOFO include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Applying various aspects of data science (e.g., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, engineering, and biostatistics) to AD/ADRD and neurodegenerative research
- Obtaining skills in traditional and emerging drug discovery and drug development, (e.g., medicinal chemistry, high-throughput screening, quantitative pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical trial design)
- Translating principles and research findings from behavioral and social research into the development of individual, population, and system-level interventions aimed at reducing dementia risk, preventive cognitive decline and dementia, and improvement of the health and well-being of persons living with dementia and their caregivers
- Conducting cross-national dementia research using harmonized data on cognitive function to identify potential modifiable causal drivers of dementia risk and resilience
- Developing and/or establishing research on health disparities in AD/ADRD to inform the design of representative and culturally appropriate preventions, treatment, disease management, and care interventions
Program Considerations
Consistent with NIH practices and applicable law:
- An individual candidate’s race, ethnicity, or sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender status) may not be considered as a factor for purposes of program eligibility or candidate selection
- NIA does not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of candidates in the application review process or funding decisions
- Applicant institutions are encouraged to conduct outreach activities to foster awareness of this research funding opportunity for potential candidates from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Applicant and awardee institutions should consult with their General Counsel to ensure all applicable laws and regulations are being followed in program design and implementation
For more information, please see the opportunity webpage.